I am amazed by the differences in informal education that our young scholars receive today compared to that of E.B. White's time. Not only is the education contrived from somewhere other than parents, but it is most oft given through the television, and whether or not another person in the room makes no difference. This has been going on for quite some time now, the "microwave generation" seems to acquire more knowledge from this invention then from any person they might happen to meet.  Speaking of the microwave, which is usually no more than a room away from the TV, the cooking that goes on in these households is most likely done in one. My brother "regards" the television as his "great friend," and spends much more time with it than me.

The "shift" from the old style of learning to this new one us by...