Is Boeing's use of Carbon Fibre Composites in the 787 a con-job?

The more I think about it, the more it seems the carbon fibre material is used as a marketing ploy as opposed to an actual legitimate technological advance. I could be wrong but the cabin pressure change doesn't seem revolutionary. It's only 8000 down to 6000. If they did 2000 that would be impressive. The humidity part I think is definitely valid as I seem to suffer from nose bleed on every intercontinental trip. More humidity would add to comfort levels for sure. But carbon fibre as a structural enhancement? I spent the day thinking about it. And although it may be true that it is lighter and more flexible and able to withstand stress. Carbon fibre I know cannot take blunt impact. It usually shatters. And if stressed to much shatters. I thought I has a bad experience, then I started reading about Boeing's failed 787 elevator/ stabilizer bird strike test. This seemed to affirm my thoughts about carbon fibre. Lets say for sake of argument, you entered a serve storm or turbulence? Would you want a superstructure that might bend and pop a few rivets (as aluminum alloys do) or completely shatter? I could easily see a wing just breaking the hell off given the right conditions.