To be perfectly honest, I see no problem in comparing the status of WordPress as it is right now. I always keep an eye out for innovation on other platforms. That' s the reason why I toy around with Drupal, Linux, etc. At the moment it's certain that there are some CMS'es doing better than WordPress. I have tried SquareSpace and was pleasantly surprised. I see myself leaving WordPress for something like that.

The thing that's keeping WP from growing even faster and keeping it's former image of innovator is indeed the slow pace it has gotten itself into. Nowadays, plugins are required to make you website do what it has to do. Those features may include things that other people won't use, but I do consider then necessary.

You can drive the same car chosen by 20% of people, do some custom tweaking under the engine and a new coat of paint.

Or you could invest into a better car that comes with all of these things already preconfigured.

Knowing how limited my time is, this may in time get me to move ahead.