@matt I do see that, and I think they could do even more to level out the curve. But, that power curve at the end of the second graph is still steeper than anything that came before it--Cata's still extremely spiky and higher than anything else on that graph, even post-squish (granted, it's all ideas, not actuality, and really simplified). There's still a steeper power curve for Cata than in any of the previous expacs, which really doesn't change the current situation; it looks like people who level cap at BC or Wrath will have a harder time soloing old content. The people at current endgame are still way more powerful.

I would hope that a more linear equation was being worked out, and that's why they don't simply implement this or anything like it; it's different from the nerfs they've done previously. It's still being decided and worked out because, I think, of that linear issue and how it would affect old school runs. They want people in those raids, if for no other reason than to grab Transmog gear. If they implement a straight "squish" like the simplified graph shows, that can't happen. But the text I pointed out in GC's post shows they are actually looking at how to balance everything in game around it to work, not just straight up chopping the numbers down.