Kelora Patent Found Obvious: Are Other “Obvious” Software Patents In Danger? (techcrunch.com)

I feel like a lot of software patents are like patenting a photo of the famous Las Vegas sign. Obvious may be an understatement.

Is there a middle ground to be met that protects original ideas without hindering progress?

Gosh, that would be nice. There are software patents for ideas that any skilled practitioner could invent on the spot upon hearing a statement of the problem. Some are so simple, I wouldn't even use them in an interview. I don't know what goes on in other fields, but constant invention is part of a programmer's job description.