Do you also feel that the new Linux distros, in the race of getting popular among the masses have become too easy to use, too heavy on the hardware and no more offer the hard - do it yourself way of learning?
Who really enjoys futzing with their computer all day because the OS is so totally broken that they can't get work(or play) done? Really why would you want to spend six weeks configuring X so that you can have a usable system for two weeks before the next upgrade comes along and breaks your config file.<p>No thanks I'll take Ubuntu that gets out of the way and lets me play with whatever I find interesting over that configure arcana crap.
Different distros are good for different people and different things.<p>If you want to face a challenge, choose Gentoo (or one of many others).<p>If you just want a system that works and is free, use Ubuntu (or one of many others).<p>If you are a power user who gets more practical value out of a more customized system, choose Arch Linux (or one of many others).<p>Having more diversity in distros (which implies having some that are easier to use) can only be a <i>good</i> thing.<p>Also, you have to remember that Linux itself is not an operating system. Trust me, the Linux kernel has not gotten any easier to use from anyone's perspective.
There is NO such thing as too easy to use. The whole point of an operating system is to be functional - in every aspect of that word. The more intuitive it is, the /better/ it's been designed.