Why “massively distributed?” What is the advantage/benefit/value? Some of the most compelling uses of p2p among undergraduates that I have seen involved only two students.

Actually, I somewhat disagree. While I agree that libraries are important, it seems to me that students are finding their own spaces, offline as well as online, where they work together (cafeterias, lounges, computer labs, among them). What I strongly suggest is that there be sharp attention paid to the patterns of student traffic and gathering so as to try to mitigate the effects of student self-segregation, which all too often reproduces socioeconomic, racial and gender divisions already present in society. And, it should not be assumed that such self-segregation does not, will not or cannot take place online, too.

What I find somewhat troubling is that “institution” seems to be defined impersonally. Or, to put that another way: Where are the people? They seem implicit in this discussion, but also oddly removed.