15. A method for generating search results, the method comprising: receiving a search query from a query submitting user, the search query including one or more search terms entered by the query submitting user; determining a topic corresponding to the one or more search terms; based on the determined topic, identifying a search authority for the search query; accessing an interest profile associated with the search authority; accessing an interest profile of the query submitting user; forming a combined interest profile by performing a weighted combination of aspects of the interest profile of the query submitting user and aspects of the interest profile associated with the search authority, the forming comprising: identifying a first and second weightings specified by the query submitting user, the first weighting to be applied to the interest profile of the search authority, and the second weighting to be applied to the interest profile of the query submitting user; and performing the weighted combination in accordance with the identified first and second weightings; determining, by a processing device, search results in response to the search query based on the combined interest profile; and enabling the query submitting user to perceive the determined search results.
15. A method for generating search results, the method comprising: receiving a search query from a query submitting user, the search query including one or more search terms entered by the query submitting user; determining a topic corresponding to the one or more search terms; based on the determined topic, identifying a search authority for the search query; accessing an interest profile associated with the search authority; accessing an interest profile of the query submitting user; forming a combined interest profile by performing a weighted combination of aspects of the interest profile of the query submitting user and aspects of the interest profile associated with the search authority, the forming comprising: identifying a first and second weightings specified by the query submitting user, the first weighting to be applied to the interest profile of the search authority, and the second weighting to be applied to the interest profile of the query submitting user; and performing the weighted combination in accordance with the identified first and second weightings; determining, by a processing device, search results in response to the search query based on the combined interest profile; and enabling the query submitting user to perceive the determined search results. 16. The method of claim 15 wherein enabling the query submitting user to specify a first weighting to be applied to the interest profile of the search authority and a second weighting to be applied to the interest profile of the query submitting user comprises enabling the query submitting user to manually select the first weighting and the second weighting through interaction with a graphical user interface.