...but it’s going to result in some very boring website layouts.

I tend to agree with Ben. Themes will be more rigid and therefore more similar. There are things I do with my themes that I can't imagine being accomplished with block areas and blocks. But they're not critical things and having themes return to their true role will make a nicer experience for designers and a more stable product for users.

It will be a great day when we can say "theme designer" instead of "theme developer", which to me is an oxymoron. Few people are truly proficient in design and development. Theming has gotten out of control.