Similarly, students may not write term papers as well today as we did coming up, but given the superabundance of information, and the fast-pace of society, writing today needs to be more concise and targeted than the staid, wide ranging undergrad term papers of yesteryear. Similar considerations probably explain why young people today do not read as many formally written books as in the past.

But, Glenn, overall your essay reminded me of my father telling me how easy I had it, and how he used to walk two miles each way, everyday when he went to school, not to mention the chores he had to perform. I wouldn’t pay him any mind. But I, in turn, tell my daughter how I used to have to walk six blocks to school and then back home for lunch and then back to school and then back home again. And how I did not have a color tv, the internet, a cellphone, an ipod etc… The more things change. . .