I have had enough experience in my life to see the effects of passive consumption on skill development and more importantly, imagination growth.

Well, once upon a time in the not so distant past when everyone were also somewhat "passive consumers" by other means. Like thru radio, magazines, books, churches, college, in front of a bonfire, etc. And many of them are US. Not has been too bad for our own imagination growth. Isn't it?

The "share generation" doesn't require creativity, it just needs access to the art of others. There is danger in this as the more it happens, the less creative we become and the less capable we are to solve the challenges we face.

Actually, no one has born already learned. But nonetheless, anyone with a minimum of a healthy brain & guts will quickly find where the true value in life really is by themselves and for themselves.

I do not think young people that people are overly imaginative today and instead, they are mostly reguritators of the creations of others.

Ah! don't be so harsh & extreme with them my friend. They just will do pretty well and will survive the future in their own way with big style. :)