I would suggest starting with language such as MIT Media Labs Scratch.
Which is a great resource, it is also an active project with web based ide.
http://scratch.mit.edu/
He is complete ass when he talks bullshit about MIT Media Lab without knowing about their current efforts.
The OP is an complete idiot lost in nostalgia, is he nicholas carr??
I am sorry but the author of this article hasnt even performed basic research. He is completely bullshitting about Media Lab. Media Lab has created Scratch programming language which is actively being used by many kids in large number of schools around world.