Great book, by the way. "Emergents" -- as opposed to the "Qeng Ho" (sp?), who in contrast seemed more like a bunch of franchise owners* cooperating when they

Great book, by the way. "Emergents" -- as opposed to the "Qeng Ho" (sp?), who in contrast seemed more like a bunch of franchise owners* cooperating when they had common goals and/or to make some good trades? (and help a dispersed human civilization along here and there) * "franchise owner" in the sense of owning and operating a store associated with a broader brand.