True -- most people weren't interested in cooking as an exercise, they just wanted to eat. However, interest in cooking as an art form, not just as consumption,

True -- most people weren't interested in cooking as an exercise, they just wanted to eat. However, interest in cooking as an art form, not just as consumption, is at an all time high (or so it seems to me from the countless media around food). So, did the microwave kill the culinary arts? No, it liberated the people who didn't care cooking from having to deal with it. As someone who avoids processed food, I get where you're coming from, but our values are not necessarily other peoples values.