well...we will have to disagree on this one...MOST (99%) of the elite climbers out there are against lowering the difficulty...i think you've pointed to aberations...have you climbed in europe? Or are you taking this second hand...
Last time i saw bachar he was clipping bolts, then soloing, then clipping bolts in--->hold your breath, Owens...long the bastion of trad, er i meant sport, climbing...