Unfortunately, the Americans have been at it again.

1) Yes

2) This isn't the point anyway.

Tea rituals are very important in themselves. You could perhaps think of them as foreplay? Is the experience of sex different depending on how it is initiated & the preparatory activities? I'd hope you'd think so.

Boiling a kettle & sloshing water over a teabag is like a quickie. OK now & then when in a rush or better options unavailable but for the full, satisfying experience, you'll want to warm a pot, add leaves, pour water, add cosy, steep, pour through a strainer etc.

Boiling water in a microwave for tea is like having a quickie in a public lavatory. The objective may be technically achieved, but self-respect, dignity, and civilised context have been abandoned. This is not something people should feel comfortable admitting to publicly.