Is zoom range the new megapixel?

Some time ago, Nikon introduced the Coolpix P610, a so-called ‘bridge’ camera with a zoom range of 24-1440mm (35mm equivalent). In case that zoom isn’t long enough for you, they now also introduced the Coolpix P900, with a 24-2000mm zoom range. And don’t worry, you can extend this with digital zoom if needed. It seems to me that zoom range is rapidly becoming the new megapixel. Companies try to introduce longer and longer zoom ranges, not because any photographer really needs it, but simply so they can say they have the biggest penis  zoomlens. The Coolpix P900 shares all the technical specifications of the P610. The only difference between the two cameras is that 83x zoom, and a 30% higher price point. That’s a lot of extra money for a status symbol if you ask me.