I'm sure that databases need to evolve to some extent, but is the relational-ness really the problem? When I start with a data model, I find that thinking in r

I'm sure that databases need to evolve to some extent, but is the relational-ness really the problem? When I start with a data model, I find that thinking in relations (and the various normal forms) is a very natural way to approach the problem. I also like the way that sql and relational databases mirror (to some extent) relational algebra - of course, I haven't written relational algebra since school, but it's actually interesting, and shows a solid mathematical foundation to rdbms systems. What I hate (and I get the feeling you hate it too) is object-relational mapping. This is truly, exceptionally tedious stuff. Hibernate was no fun, but I find Rails to be far, far less of a hassle. And there's plenty to object to in the various implementations of relational algebra (ie., the different RDBMs's). But maybe the programming language side is exactly where the innovation should be occuring.