C++ is a systems programming language first, and an application programming language second. There was a time when there was little difference between the two areas.<p>System resources are not as precious as they used to be, so the distinction has become more apparent. Hence, people who use C++ for non-systems programming encounter friction when performance goals are at odds with productivity goals. They then move to languages which take the opposite approach and sacrifice performance for productivity.<p>I use and like using C++. Yet I don't see any reason to argue when he says C++ is not for him any longer - he's probably right. I think the domain where C++ is appropriate has shrunk and continue to do so, and that's fine.<p>(For the record, rvalue references are a means to eliminate copying objects. This is, indeed, a performance optimization that most people don't care about.)