The concept of Opera Unite (web server in a browser), could be a possible means of making this kind of thing a reality. I've been thinking that as more people become angered by the control of YouTube, Facebook, etc, over what you can do with the services (like posting a home made video with copyrighted music in the background), solutions like this might become popular.

I read an article from a journalist who actually trained with this tribe with significant success. You're right, they had _some_ protection, but I think the harm in today's shoes (as theorized in the article), was a function of the over-support in the typical running shoe, leading to atrophy.

Heel striking was another culprit - this tribe nearly always landed on the balls of their feet; running in a knees-up, unicycle like fashion.

There are some other studies comparing cultures with the introduction of footwear. Here's one: http://www.profleeberger.com/files/YFOOT1001.pdf (sorry for the PDF)