@Ilwrath
You must've come there at a bad time .. there's plenty of talk while everyone isn't sleeping or at work (at least a job where one can't IRC at the same time ;-) ).
Not saying you were one of them, but there are really many people who join the channel, wait 8 seconds and if no one happens to say anything, leave. It's not like there's constant, 24/7 chat going on, but that doesn't mean there aren't people there - so feel free to start a new conversation everyone.