Yes, but I'm glad I was around to see all those changes. It was a bit heady being on the cutting edge of portable lighting tech for all those years, seeing each new innovation has they came out, showing them off to my buddies at work.
I never did buy a bunch of lights, only a few choice ones here and there that I actually needed for work, updating occasionally when my finances allowed, and most of those lights are still in use today, although they've mostly been relegated to around-the-house jobs now.
So, are new flashaholics, lucky? In some ways, sure, but I feel luck too, having had the opportunity to help shape the direction our hobby has taken, through judicious support of fledgling new and innovative companies.