I've been into CBT ever since programmed learning and laserdiscs (remember them?) and never really thought it as good as people make out, although I do recognise that it has its place in certain areas. Similarly with the use of colour - a clear black and white image is often way superior to colour, which again has its place (look at the Jeppesen/Peters material to see what I mean).
I hear that a lot of schools have gone back to chalk and talk, or at least reduced the CBT content, which was originally used to reduce instructor salaries.
You hit the nail on the head with your comments about people who define the requirements. I have heard that the only country that sent actual aviators to the original meetings was the UK. I must say it doesn't surprise me at all.
Phil