Stealthie, this is exactly what 'we' have been asking for all along! People who were interested in certain aspects of the game demanded more interaction and that's exactly what was delivered.
I remember talking about this a couple of years ago, when a whole bunch of posters demanded more game play, but when pushed, defined what they wanted as variations on 'make work'. That's fine, they wanted additional complexity in their gameplay and they've got it.
Like you (now), I wasn't convinced that what they were asking for (then) actually constituted gameplay. But FD can hardly be blamed for giving 'us' what we asked for! [haha]
I'm still trying to get my head around the changes. Mining looks cool, but I haven't given it a go, yet. Exploration, ditto. C&P hasn't impacted me in the slightest. Engineering is a complete pita, with a ludicrous number of mats and some utterly bonkers ways to gather them. RNG might be reduced, but it's still built into every part of the process.
The game's now balanced around the average player having a lightly engineered ship, which makes engineering pretty much de rigueur. If you're like me and can't be bothered with farming, it has a real impact on the game experience. I feel like I'm being forced into engineering, an activity I don't enjoy, just to be able to take on the parts of the game I really do enjoy. Again, though, FD have taken on feedback and delivered what 'we' asked for. There were calls for increased customisation almost from the start and when their first attempt at crafting was pants, they adjusted it to something close to what 'we' were demanding on this forum and other boards.
The point I'm making is that 'we' brought this on ourselves. After four years of development, ED is looking very much like what interested and engaged players have suggested it should be. You and I are among that choir!
It's not all bad. I finally got my orrery! It's beautiful! (Thank you Devs!) More importantly, it looks like FD are steering the game in the direction we're pointing. I think that means that some of 'our' biggest wishes look likely to be coming soon
(tm). Space legs and atmospheric landings might not be as far off as 'we' think...