I think the only reason that this critique is valid is precisely because the protocol allows for types of innovation and forward thinking you are hinting at.

Time-line like displays will likely always have a use case. Nostr is young and the importation and development of those displays from the legacy platforms only makes sense. Also, the familiarity of them reduces friction to new users.

Yes its kind of boring but seems like it is more of a "first step" as opposed to stagnation. Nostr is young.