[Air-l] messengers and networks

[Barry Wellman]

Re Naomi Baron's point on past-generation messenger boys,
in 1970, the head of the sociology dept at the Univ of Ghana Legon had a
@boy@ (really a man) squatting next to his desk all the time I was there.
To deliver handwritten messages across campus. And unlike email, the
receipt of the message was confirmed.

Re Frank Thomas' point on long distance ties documented by community
social network analysts, see a bunch of my papers from the 1970s thru
early 1990s. Summarized in my @The Network Community" - intro chapter to
my Networks in the Global Village, and in draft form (for those who want
something for nothing) on my website.

 Barry
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  Barry Wellman        Professor of Sociology       NetLab Director
  wellman at chass.utoronto.ca   http://www.chass.utoronto.ca/~wellman

  Centre for Urban & Community Studies        University of Toronto
  455 Spadina Avenue   Toronto Canada M5S 2G8   fax:+1-416-978-7162
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