I think "stunts" and such have their place. Town Run trail in Indy, for instance, has both - normal trails AND elevated trails with seesaws, jumps, and such. That's the key - offering both so that people don't get scared off.

Still, for having all of that skill for stuff like jumps (using ramps), seesaws, and such, lots of riders I've seen lack basic skills.

For instance:
Can you bunny hop a 1.5 foot log using platform pedals?

You'd be amazed at the number of people who can't.

Avoiding or going "light" over obstacles seems to be a lost art, too. We get what seems like hundreds of wheels brought into the shop for repair that have obviously been slammed into everything the trail had to offer.

It makes me sad, really.