Is it possible that

a) not all code written is for web apps

b) that said recent technology also only fits a niche for modern web apps?

I think you view on what constitutes modern web apps or software in general is biased in favor of some examples who benefit by using mongo/couch/redis whatever. (And are very vocal about it)

[EDIT: spelling, and to add that I have tremendous joy in playing with couch, redis, node lately. But at the same time I try to stay critical: what are the real trade offs when I employ these tools?]