We're talking about the debate over whether or not there's a new bubble in the value put on high-flying Internet firms. Are we partying like it's 1999?

Technology and stock market watchers worry that we may be in the midst of a new tech bubble. (AP)

All the woe aside, there is a hot spot in the U.S. economy.

It’s in high-flying Internet companies — again. Facebook. Zynga. LinkedIn. Groupon. Those and more are drawing billions in investor valuations.

Eighty billion, in the case of Facebook. They’re driving up Silicon Valley real estate, gobbling up venture capital, exciting IPO investors across the country.

That’s the excitement. And then there’s the fear.

That it’s dotcom bubble time again. That we’re partying like it’s 1999.

This hour On Point: weighing the real value to the U.S. economy of the Internet stars this time.

-Tom Ashbrook

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