So in western countries the only real motivations for using darknets are paranoia or kiddy porn.
One thing to consider is that nothing is as good at exposing the arbitrary and superficial nature of the borders between nations than a network of people communicating freely across the globe. What I'm getting at is that, yes, for me in 'States I probably don't need to worry about the powers that be knowing about my rather quotidian usage of the Net. However, it's not entirely unlikely for me to be in communication with someone in a nation that isn't so free, and can't feel safe communicating with me by any other means.
Absolutely. I'd be curious to know whether anything like this has ever happened in the world of Intelligent Design or any other theological science disciplines. "Regent University Senior find new method by which God created the universe!"
Actually ancient Indian spiritual literature is filled with accounts of various spiritual leaders debating each other. Often times, if one lost the debate they'd have to study under their victor. It was during this era that one of the world's great international universities, Nalanda, was created. Later it was burned to the ground by invading Muslims.
Memory fault -- brain fried