Cherry picking for sure.

No one is climbing trad 5.15 in klettershoes or EB's with pins or hexes.
No one is doing a first ascent of el cap in a day. Drilling the bolts alone, even with a cordless drill would take too much time.
The were records of close to 3 minute miles in the 1800's, but watches were not
as accurate nor could these be authenticated.

What we do have today is depth and specialization. Lots of people participating in formerly esoteric activities.

As Newton sarcastically said,
"If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants."