My forest vs trees wasn't intended to imply either was better or worse, just different. When I manufactured tools, I had to be extremely focused on the details, but my customers didn't need to be as long as I did my job right, and they could depend on my reputation.

Back to the original question ----I think that everyone here pretty much agrees that the answer is YES, though we may use different considerations to reach hat conclusion.

If we start with the assumption that nothing has changed, we still have the fact that current builders are using more steel than we used in the past. That's the worst case scenario, and any improvements in either spokes and/or rims, is that much to the credit.

OTOH - if we forget practical considerations, and keep everything equal except the number of spokes, then it's simple, less steel = less strength. However, it's moot because there's more than enough strength for most people to give up that 10% without consequences, so it's only an issue for very heavy riders and/or those who do loaded touring.