I really like what you have mentioned too, but I have one comment maybe you forgot and I am guess that is why the Dev took this direction in development.
When started, FFXIV ARR had a good number of players " Legacey Players" at lvl 50 and alot were already at itme lvl ~70 when the game came out. I am guessing SE did what they did just to slow the progress of the players and have more time to spend in developing the game.