This would be a shame mate. Personally i feel the forum would benefit from more batmakers such as yourself positing about the realities of batmaking. As you say, there are tricks used to hit 'specs', not all obviously apparent and the more this is highlighted, the more expectations will be lowered, maybe?!
I think any batmaker would say the same. The constant fight to make bats big and light, yet not compromising the product by over drying, narrowing, using cheap/light handles etc, is the constant struggle.
I had a conversation on social media about this recently with a retailer, after seeing a post sbout an SG bat measuring 102mm in width. He was saying they're just trying to cater for the demand, so nothing wrong with it as companies need to make money and it's what people are demanding, 40mm edges, 67mm spine, no concaving etc. So the more this is requested, the more companies will and should use any means to deliver it. Whether it's ultimately good for the customer and product or not it seems. I'm just not sure where this will lead to before people are willing to accept that not every bat can be huge at 2lbs 9oz and trying to get them there, is actually detrimental to the end product.
You'll know more about making bats than most, so wouldn't take what anyone on the forum says to heart.