The phrase, coined during a 2006 U.S. Senate hearing, refers metaphorically to the internet. It became a widely recognized and often ridiculed representation of a perceived lack of understanding of internet technology by legislators. As an example, the speaker used this term when describing how information travels across the internet.
The significance lies in its illustration of the challenges of effectively regulating or legislating complex technological infrastructures when a fundamental grasp of their operational mechanics is absent. This particular phrasing highlighted the need for policymakers to become better informed about the technologies they are attempting to govern, especially as these technologies become increasingly integral to modern society and the economy. It serves as a reminder of the importance of technological literacy in public policy.
