I'd be inclined to believe it was those clinging to power during a time when it was still possible to influence a group of individuals they were being organized to maximize the wellbeing of the group and/or other groups not directly impacting their daily lives. The latter convincing them as a whole, society moves forward maximizing all their lives. Historically, throughout history, there has been many achievements accomplished by the powers that be, that working as a whole, moves everyone forward. I'd personally think, that once after the civil rights movement, and the women's movement on smaller scales of historical events influenced greatly by the increased access to news coverage, news prints, things started to change, once the internet came along, the whole group thing became a wake up call. I think I'd add the Vietnam War into that mix of events also. Increased access to alternative media started breaking the hold the powers that be had, and people have been turning the tide ever since. Not always in the right direction, I'd claim, and which the article starts to indicate itself. It's not just the increase of the number of individuals stuck in this me, me, me mode, it's also the powers that be know their limitation of influence is now exactly that, limited, which is scary itself given the immediate clamp down on college campus during the events happening in Gaza. Largely I think that is why they are trending to want to develop a digital system that will allow them the total control they once had.