[aa-jv]

This exact phenomenon is, I believe, as a result of the separation of the compiler tools from the operating system. If the iPhone generation were able to write software for the iPhone, with the iPhone, there wouldn't be such a vacuum "Why?" being asked by your students .. they'd have tons of examples of great stuff they could do, without requiring permission, with the supercomputers in their pocket.

Its just that entire generations have evolved now to treat their computers as commoditized services - as you noted - and don't understand that they could, as users, program the thing themselves.

Our industry has rigorously enforced hierarchical structures in place to make sure this doesn't happen, and it sucks.

This is why I believe we should not be teaching comp-sci students with modern computers. We should start out by teaching them to program old computers, first - and then let them catch up with the current market in the last few years of their studies.