Could it be that what used to be “ultralight backpacking” is now just “backpacking”?

Over the last few years, I’ve seen the packs that beginners bring on our how-to trips shrink dramatically. I think at least some of it is due to the fact that what used to be ultralight gear (one-person tents, canister stoves, and 2-3 pound packs, for example) is now mainstream gear. (Of course, some of the shrink is also the excellent pre-trip advice about what to bring that they get from, ahem, their leaders...)