BSG did not change how science fiction is made. Do you not remember Farscape with its characterization or Babylon Five with its intricate plot lines? BSG is the last in a long line of well down Sci-fi not the first.   See 14 other replies

It was "manned", only all the people were indoors and there are hardly any people proficient enough in its use. It was "defended", by the F-302s squadron on Planetary Defense duty.
The problem with putting the Chair in Cheyenne Mountain is that you'd still have nowhere to launch the drones from, not to mention that you'd be putting a huge honkin' weapons platform near a major urban center. Which means that one you fire it, the jig is up and there won't be denying things.
Remember that LTC Sheppard didn't want to sit and wait while the Super Hive Ship grew stronger in lunar orbit. The idea was to get to the Hive with nukes while it was farther away, instead of baiting it in, with the hopes that your drones could do the job once it was close enough. But, as we could see with its engagement with Atlantis, even a salvo of drones wasn't enough.   See 3 other replies