[smoldesu]

I think it's a matter of expectations. We assume that software can grow with infinite vertical complexity given enough time and effort, but simultaneously we make enormous efforts to dumb-down our interfaces and make things more user-friendly. You're not wrong if you think that old Unix machines were more versatile than a brand-new laptop, if not only because the command line forced you to think like a programmer to get stuff done.

Nowadays, people don't care. The 90s ruined us with it's impulse economy, society as a whole felt as though we were entitled to just the good parts and nothing more. As a result, software got developed that way. Fine Corinthian leather, Gaussian-frosted glass and lickable scrollbars won out against dependable, powerful software interfaces. Society doesn't want good software, they just want to feel good. People can leverage that desire to make a lot of money by selling mostly-satisfying software. Stay hungry, stay foolish?

[KerrAvon]

I think you are conflating fashion with quality.

An old Unix text interface isn’t going to allow me to edit a video or run a modern business. We do move on for some good reasons.