I view it as progress. My great-grandmother cut her pieces out with scissors and hand stitched everything. My grandma cut them out with scissors and used her "new fangled thing" AKA sewing machine (NOT an electric one though). My Mom used an electric sewing machine and scissors. I use a rotary cutter, a machine and a long arm (when I can). I think we are all quilters.
I think you did the right thing in going home - most people who debate that waste time and air.