Is Pokemon....dying out?

If it helps, you're all partially right. Grinding is necessary in a game like Pokemon, but how much you have to grind can be reduced if you choose your Pokemon well and are smart in battle.

Well when people hear the term Level grinding I doubt Pokemon is one of the main things that come into their mind first, strategic people are the most successful in Pokemon, anyone could simply wait til the edge of approaching the elitest four and catch the amazingly high level pokemon and legendaries and trounce the elitest four or someone can bring their team of level 30 cronies and wreck havoc, it is simply all a matter of the strategic planning of the trainer.