Whoo, it's been a while since I've posted here, heh. (My ancient siggy can tell you that). However, this post simply enthralled me to make a response.
This is just my theory and perspective, but in my mind, all video-cards are a joke. In fact, I imagine nVidia, ATI, all such meglomaniac corporations already have produced, or have the capabilities, of producing DX10 cards. Video cards are released so frequently, and have so many different types and, "step-ups", in a series that it should be obvious that it's all a marketing ploy. They release card after card which is supposed to be better than the previous card to continue to have people throw away money to stay on the highest end of performance. I bet it's at the point of where capabilities to release future proof cards that would simply last for two years, at top performance, or so are there, but they wouldn't do something like that; because, they are all in it for our money.
Another thing I often ponder is the concept of more and more visually appealing video-games. If the technology doesn't improve, in how video-games are made, then I believe we'll eventually be at a stand-still for increasingly improved graphics. Every title with better and better visuals requires more and more time to make. Honestly, will we-the-fellow-gamers, stand for video-games that require ten years to complete? Not to mention, I'm tired of all the half-assed, "we're-so-pretty-but-our-budget-only-went-to-visuals-so-we-sacrificed-the-quality-and-integrity-of-our-games-to-be-the-prettiest", video-games.
Final note & Prediction: PS3 is going to blow...heheh, the release date was already pushed back on it; because, it's specs couldn't compete with an already released infamous system...which 99% of the released system's games suck any way...