with all due respect, please make sure when you refer to this "genre", to use the correct terminology.
I'm not implying that you do not know the difference, I just felt the need to clarify this to all readers of this thread.
trick shot/fantasy billiards: where you can set up your own rules (for example at a demonstration), and can perform shots that are visually appealing to the audience
artistic billiards is a competitive sport with standardized rules (well recognized by UMB)
particularly the title of the thread caught my attention, since every well informed billiard enthusiast knows that a lot has changed in the sport since the first world championships held in Paris in 1937.
But getting back to artistic billiards, some shots which have been performed in the first half of the century are not even possible anymore, because of the change in ball material. What I mean is the difference between ivory and phenolic balls, because in the real world physics we cannot state the simple form sphere equals sphere.
I am quite open for a respectful discussion here, so I also have question: Which form of billiards in its broad sense has “changed” according to you? And in which aspect? I am honestly looking forward to your answer. Because for a non-billiardist this is all just balls rolling around the table.
The most “rigid” sport (regarding the change of rules) in the world of billiards is snooker. If you were not talking about the rules then what? Level of play? Averages? High-runs? Because if yes, then there is also the problem, that firstly you cannot measure demonstrations objectively and secondly averages of official tournaments have risen constantly.
So in conclusion I have to strongly disagree with your statement, on the other hand I like the footage.
