"The issue is starting to be recognized as a legitimate object of clinical attention, as well as an economic problem, given that a great deal of non-essential internet use takes place at work, " said Dr Aboujaoude.

BBC: NEWS | Technology | US shows signs of net addiction

The Forum was the object of the first international design contest in Japan to be officially recognized by the Union Internationale des Architectes, the Paris-based organization that is the world's most prestigious association of architects.

CNN: AFTER THE BANG

The object lesson worth drawing from this story is that just one instance of bad science given the blessing of recognized experts can lead to years of damaging lies that snowball out of control.

FORBES: The Top 10 Brain Science and Psychology Stories of 2012