The problem I have with this class of critical analogies is that they don't recognize the underlying goal of all this lipstick on the pig. The parlor tricks being done here combine the benefits of other language concepts with the strict efficiency and deterministic overhead of traditional C. Contrast with other languages that might provide a more elegant interface- but with what kind of indirection? And what sacrifices over full-stack control of that indirection? That's why what gets added to the C++ standard -- specifically the philosophy of that process -- has tangible value and purpose that shouldn't be dismissed by simply saying it's better to throw it all away.