[StanislavPetrov]

>In any case, I'd say its cheaper and easier to know about things today than it was back then.

That might be true but it isn't required. Its cheaper and easier to access information today than its ever been, but doesn't mean people are more literate and more informed - they aren't. Years ago using computers and getting everything to work required that you learn at least the basics and how to tinker with different things and get a basic understanding for them to work. These days most people are using tablet and other simple, graphically designed interfaces that don't require (or in many cases allow) any substantial tinkering in order to get them to work or do what you want them to do.

Necessity is the mother of invention, not availability.