Lets see if I can explain myself in the right words
.
I agree with many things you said, but also have some other points of view.
Competition is getting to high, and creating big expectations and goals on everyone.
It my be good, because it makes people look more for new forms of layouts. But in other way, many are loosing all the fun to have a tank and see it grow. Everybody wants it to grow really fast, so can go to another one.
Also as the expectations are to high for many aquascapers that go to competitions, many feel afraid to show the beggining of the layout as they can not acomplished what they want.