Good post -- This is basically what I was failing to say so eloquently in the previous thread with my MetaThing example ... inheritance is the proverbial over-used hammer of Software design.

As for texts that say that (someone wanted examples), well, this is mainly an opinion that one need to form by oneself, or you need to use languages that don't use inheritance as an uber-hammer. Java zealots use inheritance as an uber-hammer all the time, so the "texts" as you say are probably sending mixed messages.

Compare and constrast (ack! sounds like high school), for instance, Ruby File I/O with Java File I/O, and which one makes you want to strangle a small furry animal. Keeping it simple, and knowing when to encapsulate is a good thing. I am actually able to (by reasonable use of encapsulation and a good object model), forego the need for mixins most of the time as well. KISS (Rock and Roll every night, party every day) design usually doesn't need it. The trick is encapsulating other classes and asking them to do things for you, rather than trying to have your one class "be" everything.