I agree with your thoughts on technology...the more you cook the better your senses become.Not everyone has or can afford a thermapen, me being one of them. And I am of the school of thought that we rely too much on technology and too little on our own senses and experience as cooks.
On not everyone can afford a thermapen, last week Thermopen had the thermo pop on sale for $20.00 which doesn't really break the bank.