It's pretty discouraging to me. I recently just started playing Minecraft and to see all my work disappear is heavily making me question if I should play again. I also think a huge factor is how much time you have to play the game. If you're casual and don't have much time to play the game, you don't want to see your progress disappear so rapidly. However, those who have plenty of time wouldn't mind because they can build fast, right up to their former glory in a short period of time. Of course, this line of thinking can easily be contested.
Additionally, even though I have no say in it, I disagree with the new rule of no machines. A few people mention that it's exploiting, it's cheating, it hurts the economy. However, I'd have to strongly disagree with all those assertions. I think the capability of being able to build machines is a great function of Minecraft. Those machines are crafted using Minecraftian physics and out of the box thinking. It's simply one of the things that makes Minecraft great! Furthermore, is the fact that ANYBODY could make these machines as they are extremely simple to make. Please keep in mind that I'm not trying to contest the rule, simply respectfully disagreeing with the decision that was made.
~ Logic