Unfortunately this is less about the marvel of the pencil than the global capitalist system and free market evangelism.

Pencil... definitely, although not as a child. Much later.

Microwave food, never but I'm from country where microwaves are used for maybe 20 years. I marveled at process of drying ramen noodle though.

All the time. We are on Hacker News after all.

And here is your answer.

Most people (kids and adults alike) do not care about such questions as - how is it working and why is it working like this.

If you tell kids about witches, they'll be amazed with witches. If you tell them about how jet engine works, they'll be amazed about that.

I'm from post communist/socialist country and was exposed to glimpses of their child propaganda. Very young age and low availability, so I don't remember much, but I remember marveling at MIG fighter jets with red star, lorries, human carrying rockets or combine harvesters, tractors or mining.

Kids are like that. Marvel at things that they are exposed to. Adults usually get solidified in their amazement, so if they marveled at soccer when they were kids it stays with them throughout their lives.

True, people don't care. My point is, it's because they were never shown to care.