...I'm simply pointing out, that what's being described as a magical leap in technology, over "the past 20 years", might be less about a leap, and more about personal impressions. I do agree that there are many more proprietary parts now. I don't see that as a tech leap forward, but it does constitute a leap. I'm just less certain of the direction.

If you study the history of technology, there are similar examples that pop up all over the place. It's not always a great march forward. Sometimes we wander off down strange blind alleys. It's more or less self correcting, but there's a price paid for it, nonetheless.