That depends on which package you’re comparing. As noted before, the lowest 2023 has a towing capacity of 9500 lbs while the low end of the range in '95 was 7500 lbs which is not capable of towing the Kubota skid loader. Comparing the high end of the ranges, the '95 comes in at 10000 lbs vs 13300 for the modern build. That’s a huge difference.

Examining the 3rd picture in the OP, it looks like a 2000ish Toyota Tacoma which is no where near comparable having around just 1/3 of the towing capacity of 2023 Silverado 1500s.

The '95 1500 with closer-yet-lesser capabilities has a form factor much more similar to the 2023. The major changes to form follow function. There have been major passenger safety improvements and around 25% improved fuel efficiency. There’s more going on under the hood. It’s not empty space - just ask anyone who’s had to work on one.

No. For workers volume is not the likely issue, weight capacity is - and the two vehicles are very different especially for towing.

While I agree that pavement princesses are stupid, saying:

oversized modern one’s that aren’t any better at work than the much smaller ones of the past

is either very disingenuous or ignorant.

The image calls out towing and compares something like a Daihatsu Hi-Jet with a Chevrolet Silverado 1500.

In the are where I live, if you’re building a retaining wall you might bring a skid loader such as the Kubota SVL65. Weighing in at 3840kg (8465 lbs), the kei truck couldn’t pull that with its meager towing capacity of 600kg (1323 lbs). Meanwhile, the lowest 2023 Silverado 1500 has a towing capacity of 4309kg (9,500 lbs).

A popular block used for retaining walls here is 40x30x6cm (16x12x6in) & 37kg (82 lbs). The Hi-Jet can haul 9 blocks in its bed, or about 13 in a trailer. Meanwhile, the Silverado could haul 23 blocks in its bed, or over two full 48-block pallets towed on a trailer.

airbags are single-use. […] If you test it to confirm you lost the air bag

Please try to avoid presenting your hypothesis as fact. If your third sentence was phrased as a question it’d be fine. Currently it’s misinformation.

Of course it can be tested without destroying it. The actual air bag component could be disconnected from the rest of the device and the connection point monitored for the appropriate voltage/current required for activation.

you can license programs made with GPL code under Apache

No, it’s the other way around. The GPL doesn’t allow you to remove the user protections.

Yes, but it wouldn’t be accurate to say the entire device is. There are multiple pieces of software that are in use on modern Android phones, and some are under copyleft licenses while some pieces are proprietary. https://opensource.samsung.com