I really don't think so- I think (and agree with @cel) that pubs are evil and should go away.

By following people and responding to them directly, yes- but I imagine without the assistance of pubs to handle replication for you this means that both parties or some mutual connections need to be online simultaneously in order for any data exchange to occur. I'm seeking to understand what set of on-the-ground requirements need to be met at this level in order for syncing within a network of semi-connected peers to occur.