Most of the reasons he gave were just ideals of lifestyle not depending on modern technology. Much revolving around batteries that need charging. Which requires electricity. And so on and so on about how the purity of the bicycle is being destroyed
Manufacturers are going to be going to electronic shifting on lower tier bikes as time goes on because it is less trouble. Time and more units in productions will make it less expensive and attractive for them.
At one time the cable pulled DR's were new-fangled modern technology. And we still have people claiming we don't need but one gear on the back and front.