all of this did begin with the 2.2 and it continue with this...
on one side we do have FF14:ARR 2.0, where we was able to do whatever we want, max any class we want. playing what we want, when we want.
and suddenly on the other side we do have the stuff added that force you to specialize your character more and more. the time sink is insane for every aspect added recently. it's like they do forget that we do have the class/jobs system.

why? i dunno, maybe they want to make people that only want play one class to feel rewarded.... or maybe they have have forget that we are in FF14 not FF11-2... or even if they have forget that grind is not fun and that we pay for have fun!
all i see it's an artificial way to increase the life of the game and make sure Hardcore gamer have stuff to do. god, they don't even reach the 10% of the community.... that...silly! make all this adjustement for make sure people with tons of hours of play have stuff to do. when from start it's not normal to spend more of 4 hours per day on the game.