There is a clear consensus among young people that the best place to grow food is in a toilet.

This non-scientific conclusion came to me over the course of 12 school visits around New York City last week, as I traveled around in my 1986 Dodge Truck...

In college, when our money got thin, my roommate instituted what he called "freezing in the dark." The thermostat was dialed down, the lights went out, and the utility bill plunged. I can't say I always enjoyed it. At times I imagined we could store frozen hamburger on our bookshelves,...

On Star Trek: The Next Generation, crew members get their food from microwave-like dispensers in their bedrooms called "Replicators." They walk up and mumble something and a lovely beef Wellington sparkles into existence. It's the ultimate vending machine, and nothing ever costs a dime.

Here in the 21st century,...