Hey fellow linux enjoyers,
today I found this interesting article which talks about rethinking the underlying data structures of an OS. I was always very enthusiastic about DBFileSystems but this approach takes it even a step further.
It comes with some serious caveats though.
The comments suggest this is a cul-de-sac, with OS400 and Pick OS having thoroughly traversed this ground.
You are right. It is not a new idea, but most if not all other projects that were mentioned in the comments are dead by now.