Have you ever read the book "Snowcrash" by Neil Stephenson? It was published in 1992 and followed up on the cyberpunk notions of William Gibson's "Neuromancer" which was published in 1984. Both of these authors have thoughts about the future of the internet, how the mega-conglomerates are (and will continue) to shape our world and how the things we traditionally associate with the government will eventually be sold off and privatized.
In Stephenson's "Snowcrash", one of the humorous sub-plots is the fact that two of the privatized segments of the American military have bought the freeways of Los Angeles and at the intersections there are competing snipers shooting at the passing cars. I suppose that's one way to instill brand loyality.
Seems a little far fetched, Doesn't it? Well I don't think so anymore. Here's an AP wire story about the fact that foreign companies have already bought some of our highways and it doesn't look like they are looking at stopping anytime soon...
Smart guys these "Sci-Fi" writers...
3:45:24 PM 
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