What's the schtick of wizards in the new edition?

[Arcane Feline]

I know I could be biased, but it seems to me that the wizard class has lost some uniqueness in the new edition.

Let me explain: previously, wizards were the studious spellcasters. They could learn new spells from scrolls, scribe spells into scrolls and they knew about magic more than any other class.

Now, according to skills like Occultism, Nature and Religion, every spellcaster class can learn and scribe spells, and judging by the Occultism skill and Occult spell list (especially by the Legend Lore ritual), bards are the primary know-it-alls about magic and supernatural. They were the primary loremasters in previous editions, too, and that was okay, but now they're better in knowing about supernatural than the class which derives it's very essence from supernatural.

Moreover, among the rituals only two seem to be available to the wizard, because other rituals require skill rank of expert or master in Occultism, Nature or Religion. And these ranks are (as far as I am aware) unavailable to wizards, because these skills are not signature skills for wizards.

My point is - what's the wizards' distinct feature/feel in this edition? I don't get it. They're not the primary scholars anymore. Who are they, then?

[LordofBones]

I don't think the spell lists were done well. Occult casters are better necromancers than wizards specialized in necromancy, for instance; if anything, I'd expect bards to be masters of illusions and enchantments.

[Xenocrat]

You can go to expert, but not master, in skills that aren’t signature skills.

The Wizard has the most feats that enhance and expand his magic. He’s clearly the best specialist in magic itself.

[Chris Lambertz]

Removed a post. Let's try to avoid this level of negative hyperbole.