Friends, I believe that a discipline is the institutionalization of a scientific specialty. So how does a new specialty emerge? Niinilouto writes* of six models of emergence of specialties. The one that most closely fits "Internet Studies" is the emergence of new subject matter. "While the natural sciences investigate reality that in principle exists independently of human beings, the cultural sciences -- in the broad sense that ranges from mathematics to the humanities and the social sciences -- study man-made constructions. Therefore it is customary that a new cultural science is born as a consequence of the invention or construction of a new cultural object or institution. This model emphasizes that a specialty may have an <i>emerging subject matter</i> -- and thus it differs from branching, where new information and techniques are imported to already existing domains. Typical examples of new sciences of this kind are set theory, computer science, film theory, and co-operation studies." * Niiniluoto, Ilkka. 1995. The emergence of Scientific Specialties: Six models. "Poznan Studies in the Philosophy of the Sciences and the Humanities." vol 44. pp 211-223. -- Charlie Hendricksen, Ph.D. veritas@u.washington.edu "Information technology structures human relationships." "Models relate concepts."