>>I think this is the biggest incentive for the non-school movement, as well as the increase in other alternative [to governmental SOLs] programs. Those parents value an education for what it allows their children to contribute creatively, not just use the tools of others before them.

Apparently, you missed makerzine, maker faire, 3D printers, harry potter fanfiction, and hackaday.

You also did not get the memo that people are actually becoming smarter over time. It's the Flynn's Effect.

If you're going to whine about how the good old day are better, maybe you should show us some real evidence why this is actually so.