I just added a list of the most recent comments on the sidebar... maybe that will encourage the chatter. Here's the code for MT/Typepad: (Thanks Elise)
<div class="module">
<h2 class="module-header">Recently Commented On</h2>
<div class="module-content">
<ul class="module-list">
<MTComments lastn="10" sort_order="descend">
<li class="module-list-item">
<$MTCommentAuthorLink show_email="0"$> on <MTCommentEntry>
<a href="<MTEntryPermalink>#c<$MTCommentID$>"><$MTEntryTitle$></a>
</MTCommentEntry>
</MTComments>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>