Bruce Schneier has a crisp and good explanation of how to think about BitTorrent download speed.
(Come to think of it, BitTorrent is one of the few instances where BiCapitalization makes sense.
Applied Abstractions
Espen Andersen's take on technology, strategy, and many other things
Applied Abstractions 
I dont know why my bittorrents dont come in fast I think it is a matter of haveing the right settings as to what thay are I do not know but on my 2.4M A/dsl I get 20-30 like if I am lucky.