While I agree with you, it is true that C of the K&R days doesn't exist anymore because computers are no longer like PDP-11s. This bookmark of mine is under "importantkeep"[0] (also cited in the article).

I agree though, the moment abstract machines distract from actually creating something is the moment one has gone too far.

[0] https://queue.acm.org/detail.cfm?id=3212479