The game is now easier in all ways ; XP levelling, RME weapon building, travelling, soloing (with Trusts), earning money, clearing missions, etc. etc. And so it only makes sense for Crafting skill-ups to have been made easier too.
We believe that the game was made easier to attract returning players, who may have quit because the game was too difficult / time consuming in the old days. And to attract new players, who may be used to the easier type of mainstream games.
My view on all this now is that I am so very happy that I can still log in to FFXI, I can still spend time in Vana'diel, the only world I truly love. If making the game easier has attracted new or returning players and their subs, and if this has helped to keep Vana'diel online, then I think this is a good thing.
If people want to level quickly, either jobs or crafts, and they are paying subs to take part in these things, then this helps to keep FFXI alive, and it means I can spend time in Vana'diel. Ultimately I win, because being able to spend my time in Vana'diel is more important to me than how fast other people are making their progress in the game.