I was deep into Howard Rheingold's new book, Smart Mobs, when I looked up and discovered that twelve other people in the subway car were reading it as well. As I raised my eyes, everyone lowered their books to give me a knowing glance. Was this a peer-to-peer network Howard and Cory Doctorow were talking about? Persistant and ubiquitous communication. The wireless net on the Red Line just coming into Union Station. Howard's books were the nodes. Parts of my new community got off, but more walked in. Almost everyone now sported a turquoise-covered hardback up against their nose. I was...