Why do some people lurk before leaping?

Having fresh blood here makes this site more interesting.
Otherwise we'd have one group of like minded and another whom opposes.
Eventually there would be no need to debate since we would all know each others beliefs and stop contributing. I have learned to appreciate new view points allowing me to grow.

I wish the lurkers would just jump in on a topic that interests them so we can get to know them. It sounds like most who lurk have been coming back often enough, so I hope you guys come out and share. Heck, even those crazy aliens who are trapped on earth are entertaining when they share their stories.

I too have belonged to sites that died slow deaths. It is way hard to develop one that can survive a year let alone thrive like ATS.