It's not about lowest common denominator. It's about what devices users are actually using to browse your site. If you make an awesome desktop version of the site at the expense of mobile, but majority are visiting on a small device, then you are alienating the majority. You have to keep perspective of why your are building something; if it is not for the users, then it is pointless.
It seems like a step backwards in sophistication all because these mobile devices were grouped into the same category as desktop. We go from tools that look like they were aimed at adults to simplistic toys. I see it all the time in user comments when websites switch to responsive designs. It's like we don't give a damn about desktop users because they are no longer fashionable.
So true. I hate it when CMS administration areas are rewritten to be responsive and end up wasting a huge amount of space on the screen. A CMS admin area is a power user , that most people us on their computer.
Yet characteristics such as high information density and very accurate mouse interaction are all thrown out of the window, because of how the admin looks like on a phone.
How is it responsive to ALL devices, when mobile first enforces such restrictions on a design.
