While in principle I agree with everyone, here's somthing to think about: 808/909 are part of the basic sounds, the canon if you will, that techno is created with. Classical music used the same general instrumentation for 300 years, Jazz for almost 100, rock for 50, and edm for the past 15. if all of techno shifted from using the punchy well-balanced kick to something different, i think we would loose a part of that classic sound/emotion.
anyway... :)
