This post author probably heavily impressed by images from Tesla plants :) But there are a lot of places controlled by some PLCs for 30 or more years. I’m totally agree, those cases need to be revised and sooner it better ;) But big annonces of death of something, some more experiences requires.
It still be easy to create your control system based on well established and proven platforms (as PLC). Newest PLC platforms give you limitless (close to) possibility for structure implementation (not always centralized as mentioned).
Surely, the Arduino-like platforms well situated for some OEM’s or educational preposes. Do not limit your creativity. All programs are the tails (not allways “fairy tales”). You should read some bigger book, not only beautiful poems ;)
Stay inspired.