[pwhelan]

I read his book of the same title. It is entertaining, but I agree that he makes some questionable interesting assumptions. I get the feeling that he starts with a conclusion that he knows will get some attention or likes -- and then works backwards, even when one must use a suspension of disbelief like when reading fiction.

Even if the sexual contact network is not a hub oriented "small-world network" and more like our highway system -- that doesn't seem to mean that diseases will stay isolated in one area, just it might not spread quite as quickly or pervasively.