The document discusses an experiment in creating a MOOC without using a centralized platform. The MOOC, called Mechanical MOOC, leveraged existing open educational resources from various sources and connected them through email lists and forums. Over three sequences, the MOOC enrolled around 9,300 students total. A survey of one sequence found that around 7% of students completed all of the material, but completion may not be the best metric of success. The document concludes that platforms are not necessary for MOOCs and that learners can move between resources well, and communities may be more important than individual courses.