Perhaps you missed the news but modulation is THE biggest gain that comes with disc brakes. You get it because the hard disc brakes have to be pressed harder to slow the bike than rubber rim pads (which btw have a higher coefficint of friction). Fortunately, disk calipers can exert a lot of pressure so the combination of having the effort within easy reach and a larger range in which to modulate that friction provides the magic of modulation.
Heat is important even if not in the critical temp region of tire failure. A rim that isn't tasked with heat management can be optimized for other purposes.
Your opinion of the equal viability of different wheels sounds like it's missing "...if you loosen the brake cable to adjust caliper spread for different rim widths, recenter the calipers, and make sure you have the tire/brake clearance..."
Your opinion of thru axles is predictable, and predictably short sighted.
Last edited by cale; 03-28-15 at 07:09 PM.