VFS is the common filesystem layer. The only reason you think semantics
belong in the common filesystem layer is that you are not innovating in
your semantics, and feel content with stasis.
I don't. I expect that semantics will get radically changed over the
next few years as we compete with Giampaolo and whatever lesser lights
are working at Microsoft.
I tell you what, use xattrs for all the half speed filesystems, and the
users and I will use metafiles.