Some people just won't listen.
I think one problem is the plethora of bikes with a 28-38-48 ring set and ??-34 cassette.
For the casual rider, without hills, the 48-34 is a pretty good 1st gear ratio and they end up riding like it's a a 1X5 or 6 and never shift the front.

As far as the younger generation? Each one has the best yet and each one has the worst yet.
I do feel there are MUCH fewer that take the effort to think and learn when they can ask their phone and get an answer they can't remember 5 minutes later.