The PacMan comment was not directed to your good self but was a tongue-in-check comment on the differences betwixt us older folk and the young folk starting off in the Industry ...
I concur in part with your comments .. however, in the same way I like to know what the steam gauges are telling me (real stuff) while looking at the pretty pictures (much more processed ..) a basic is knowing where you are and what you are doing .. if you agree with ATC's apparent plan .. then, well and good .. if not .. voice your opinion .. to the extent of diverging from clearance and declaring an emergency if appropriate. I was not concerned about doing ATC's job .. only looking after my own neck to the best of my ability ...
Sitting back and watching the world go by was a fail item in the good old days ... and I can see no reason for the philosophy to have altered ?