Meaning of "wheel" in the situations below

I would be most grateful if you could help me understand what is meant by "wheel" in the fragments below. They are taken from a YA book I'm currently reading. My assumption is that they are probably referring to the wheel used in the past for torture and punishment, but that doesn't seem very plausible, especially when he also mentions "atom bombs" and "killer robots". What do you think? I'd greatly appreciate your help!

Situation no. 1:

What do you guys think?” I say. "Should we just abolish the Internet for good?”

Abby picks up her phone. “Smile!”

We put our heads together and smile for the photo.

“Abolish the Internet?” asks Seth.

“Yes! Who says we need to use everything that was invented by people who just happened to be alive before we were?”

“Exactly,” says Jim. “We don’t want their atom bombs and killer robots and pathetic schools.”

Seth pops a piece of duck into his mouth. “I have to say, I’m rather attached to the wheel.”

Abby puts down her phone. “I wish Obama would decide that we’re only allowed to go online for three hours a day.

Situation no. 2:

“Seriously?” asks Seth. “You’re going back to school?”

“Ridiculous, huh?” Jim sighs. “But adults think a diploma means everything. And now I finally get how it works. You have to follow their rules for a while to start with. Live with their killer robots and atom bombs and the wheel. And then, when you’ve been good and gotten an education, when they think you’ve been deactivated, you strike. And then you can change the world.”