No, not really harsh. It just means the better data you start with the more you have to work with to get a great finished product.
I have stacked a few, but stacking isn't something that can be done in camera. But the same saying applies, the better the pictures you start with to stack the better the product you will get with photoshop. But comparing stacking to creating a simulated DOF isn't a fair comparison. One can be created in camera, one can not. Stacking does something that isn't possible without software.
Here is a link to a video of the function you are talking about:
http://www.petapixel.com/2012/02/29/...of-field-easy/