Tech people were hugely enthusiastic about Internet-like things even before the internet existed. I know Arthur C Clarke predicted satellite TV in 1957; I'm sure one could find lots of examples of internet prediction, some positive, some negative (e.g. The Machine Stops, 1928).

But 97 was late for the internet. ARPANET dates back to the 1970s .. as a government project!

There was a great deal of value in the internet liberating people from monopolist telcos and their billing practices, as well as from borders, and there was nowhere near the same level of scamminess and crime. Why? Because there was no money changing hands.