Today NPR featured a story about one of our favorite examples of networks - slug lines! This informal network of commuters evolved to provide either rides or passengers to those commuting from the suburbs to the city. The drivers give free and fast rides, while the passengers (slugs) provide the extra bodies to enable the driver to use the HOV lanes.

Protocol has certainly evolved to regulate this informal system.  Don't share names, don't mess with the radio,and don't talk on your cellphone, to name just a few. 

Another example of how informal groups can grow and thrive with little top-heavy organization.  

• Read our case study of slug lines on the advocacy2.org wiki

• And read the new NPR story on slug lines on the NPR website