I'm saying it was always possible to embed arbitrary data.  "Ordinals" are a very specific method of embedding arbitrary data, so it would not be correct to say that ordinals were always possible.  But without the code ordinals are exploiting, it's still possible to hog a load of space in blocks by embedding images and other trash.  And it's still possible for people to claim silly images are an asset class in an attempt to get others to spam a blockchain that doesn't support the very specific methods ordinals utilise.  That's what needs fixing.  People need to know that silly images are not assets.  They are snake oil and trash.