Maybe it is time for the Poser code-jockeys to start thinking about a continuum of elevation, where an entry-level Poser tool can smoothly take a user to higher levels. <<<

Agreed, and there is no reason why it can't happen. If other apps (DAZ Studio, Carrara, Cinema 4D and InterPoser Pro, and others) can import native Poser content while also leaving it open to use other methods, it proves that it can be done. A change to a different way of doing things in Poser can't happen abruptly (there's too much legacy content out there). But that doesn't necessarily mean that it shouldn't happen.

Backward compatibility is a good thing to a point.  Going back to Poser 4, things were a lot simpler. But in Poser 5 and beyond we see a more advanced renderer, more advanced materials, dynamic clothing, dynamic hair, and so many other things that put a higher burden on the CPU and other resources. It's getting more and more difficult for animators to use it as a viable tool because the rendering times make it impractical.

Yes, Poser IS a lot of fun, and it DOES have a lot of hobby and casual users. But there are also a lot of users that would like to see it do more, or do it faster and better. A gradual movement toward that would be a good thing - and it can be done in a way that would benefit the entire user base in the long run.*