From a newsgroup friend:

Interesting idea, institutions eventually killing the very thing they set out to perpetuate. Some believe a constant state of cynicism and revolt must be nurtured. Organisational theories have abounded of late--cybergames like "The Sims" and "Dungeons and Dragons" are based on the concept of building a virtual parallel reality from the comfort of one's own home. People want and need structure. They inevitably fall into a pecking order much like animals, and like animals, operate as a herd. The entire internet itself is a type of institution--anyone can join but just try inventing a POPULAR site. My **** group has been in existence for a year without anyone joining it at all! But--to parallel the formation of the internet with the formation of Christianity--only the Jesus traditions that mesmerized the majority prevailed. There were many gospels in circulation before 325 AD, when a group of bishops fianlly voted on the most "honorable" material for the canon. The might of the Constantinian empire mandated this canon as holy and we still operate under this institutional mantle. More or less. Can you come up with a better parallel universe? In which there wasn't religious war, disease, starvation, and pollution? What would that institution look like?