> Watch any senate/congressional/government hearing about technology related subjects from your country's government and you'll see what I mean.

Has anyone done some good study / writing on the subject?

I recall, as a young know-it-all, laughing at that one Congress Critter for his "internet is a series of tubes" comment - but as I've gotten older I really just look at most of these things as plumbing data such that I'm not all that sure he was wrong.

Makes me wonder if your assertion is more based on the superficial media takes of the day, and not reality.