They didn't "choose" a different architecture. The Virtual DOM wasn't an option when Angular 1.x started development. Dirty checking was "The Way".
The previous architecture was excellent for its time. The initial release of Angular 1.x was 6 years ago. The praise was well-deserved because dirty checking was fast and efficient.
React came about 4 years later and used an architecture that no one else had ever used. It was faster and more efficient. Now frameworks are converging to the new faster and more efficient way.
It seems like you consider it a personal affront that Angular is changing with the times. You seem to forget that exchanging is what makes these frameworks great (CSSAnimationGroup is, in fact, a replica of ng-animate).
The previous architecture was excellent for its time. The initial release of Angular 1.x was 6 years ago. The praise was well-deserved because dirty checking was fast and efficient.
React came about 4 years later and used an architecture that no one else had ever used. It was faster and more efficient. Now frameworks are converging to the new faster and more efficient way.
It seems like you consider it a personal affront that Angular is changing with the times. You seem to forget that exchanging is what makes these frameworks great (CSSAnimationGroup is, in fact, a replica of ng-animate).