OG,
The advent of computers for everyone certainly has meant that one can spend the effort drilling down to that which is, rather than using that which appears to be, critically limiting.
Re factors, perhaps I dreamed it all.
When the A320 first was introduced into Oz by AN in the 80s, I had a number of discussions regarding the aircraft with whatever name CASA was that week (particularly in respect of flight test matters - which would have been with one of our PPRuNe posters who was the then local regulatory test pilot). My quite distinct recollection was that Airbus had negotiated a reduction from the usual 1.5 factor on the basis of all the electronic gee-whizz protection capability.
My recollection may well be flawed, of course, .. or the brain, as the seconds tick, slowly is following the body into decreptitude.
The poster to whom I referred probably will see this thread and correct my thoughts in due course ?