You know, my mother somehow got me through the '60's in a '62 Galaxie that didn't have any of this stuff (INCLUDING power brakes!), and I lived to tell the tale.
In the early days of the greatest application of electronics to a car way back (on a large scale, at least) in the '80's was rear ABS. It is true that it's primary purpose then was to prevent rear wheel lockup on lightly weighted driving. This was an electronic evilution of the old proportioning valve that sat on the back of Taurus's that did about the same thing.
And believe me, as someone that drove those old Aerostars one or twice, they really needed it as those brake systems used to lock up under even easy braking.
Then, as so very many of these things do, they evolved. Now, the standard was 4WABS, which was a very great improvement. It was a big leap forward in terms of stopping the car in a straight line (as most panic stops are). And I agree that it totally sucks if you're trying to react to a skid or a deer jumping out in front of your car on a turn or curve in the road.
Which is why it evolved again, into (more or less) the present attempt to bubble-wrap everyone with stability control. These system really are quite good to controlling the vehicle in just about any event (which is why they use yaw and pitch sensors). One very clear advantage these car present is on snow or ice. They are very easy to start and stop, as the traction control and abs just work flawlessly together.
One day, when I become rich, I hope to accquire a car with these systems, as my Escort doesn't have them.
I just work on them.

 

Yup, today's car are much more advanced then the cars of yesteryear but then they don't quite have the same soul or spirit either (in my opinion).

Today it's all about safety, not that I think it's a bad thing, but like the boys from Top Gear said it does take away from the whole experience. They recently tested the new Lambo Aventador and Richard Hammond noted that all the safety features made the new Lambo as easy to drive as an Audi. Not what someone wants to hear after dropping over $400,000 for a car.

Go to the 6 min mark if you want to see
Lamborghini Aventador - Top Gear - BBC - YouTube

But that's the progress of the times and the changes it brings with it.