No, it’s a function – the return value is what is displayed in the quote box.
As for the issues regarding clutter of multiple layers of nested quotes – it was never really a problem back when it was the default. Just like most people are savvy enough to edit down a quote to only reply to the relevant part, I think most people are savvy enough to cut out unnecessary layers of quoting.
The reason I like the feature is that since the default was changed to no nested quotes, you end up with people commenting on other people’s arguments without context, e.g.
[QUOTE=poster B]
[QUOTE=poster A]
This statement is factually incorrect.
[/QUOTE]
Wrong. You’re forgetting that many frogs eat small bees.
[/QUOTE]
What statement is poster A disagreeing with? Now I have to scroll all the way back up, giving myself crippling carpal tunnel syndrome.