By default, most Linux distributions still retain its uber-geekiness by showing each and every detail of the boot process, e.g., what hardware are detected, services that are started, etc. Frankly, I think this is only necessary on first boot, right after you install it or when you first run the installer, so you know that every hardware is detected properly and every service is started. Subsequent boot, however, should be as simple and as elegant as viewing a photo whilst waiting for the system to come up.
If you are sick of seeing the console dump, try this tip of adding "sexy" boot images to replace that screen dump. You can even create your own images. Neat, huh?
Image from Flickr:WhaleSalad.