Take the 2-minute tour ×  Some time ago, a recently-graduated
PhD has sent me a physical (book) copy of his dissertation. The
graduate works in a somewhat-related field, but is personally
entirely unknown to me (I have some loose connections to the
advisor, though). I was reasonably confused by this - I
personally have never heard of a custom of sending physical
theses to anybody besides maybe parents. I was 100% convinced
that I received the dissertation in error (also because the
mailing was addressed to my name, but using a wrong department
name).  Last week I by chance got hold of the graduate and told
him that he sent me his thesis by accident, and asked whether he
wants to have it back. He seemed confused and a little bit
annoyed that I wanted to give his thesis back - it turns out he
actually sent me the book on purpose, assuming that I would be
interested in his work. He told me that he thought it is
customary to send a finished PhD thesis to people that he
thought might profit from its results.  So,