I agree with you somewhat that certain evolutionary MMO changes are good and lots are bad but the actual way they are designing games now days is for maximum money gain, who can blame them?
I do not like it but it is the way things have and are heading for the time being until a company comes out with some balls and does things differently again. I think they may be pleasantly surprised.
I am looking at The Secret World that is due out soon, it looks very different.
Most things in MMOs nowadays are designed to stretch content. Dailies? Who's awful idea was that! We are constantly herded like sheep in the same direction and at roughly the same time frame. Everyone looks the same, is going for the same cookie cutter specs, same gear, same pets, nothing seems rare any more, lockouts and saves limiting you to how fast you can progress......