Originally posted by umop-apisdn:

You're talking about something from literally two years ago that isn't at all relevant to the current discussion... and saying it does something that it doesn't, to boot.

1) It's plenty relevant to the conversation.
2) YOU don't seem to understand what the terrain optimization patch did.

The new terrain modification system is made to reduce the number of network instances and make loading faster and smoother.

[EDIT] Also, to test:
1) Turn on devcommands
2) Go to an area with a stable amount of instances
3) Optionally "forcedelete 50" to get rid of terrain stuff in the area and "removedrops" to get rid of anything you broke.
4) There is no 4
5) Take out your Hoe, bring up your F2 window
6) Hoe away. The first 3 or 4 times, your instance count will raise. After that, it will not.

This was not the behavior before the patch.