Dynamic linking wasn't invented as a premature optimization though. And if it didn't exist today, it would still not be premature to invent it, because dynamic linking does not only concern how large and fast your program is, but also how it is interacted with.
So here is my point: optimization that can affect the relevant interfaces of your software is not premature because deciding on the interfaces your software exposes is not premature.
You are choosing to focus on the "premature optimization" wording, which is fair, it was said. I'm focusing on "as a community would we choose to reimplement and universally adopt this optimization?" (emphasis mine). I think it would be implemented, I do not know of any evidence that makes me believe it would become universally adopted given modern resources.
I'm not sure exactly what was originally meant, I interpreted it as how currently dynamic linking is the norm, is used in every mainstream OS and most the applications run on them, and all the major mobile platforms. If we had to make a choice right now without the history of dynamic linking behind us, would we still choose to use it for the majority of platforms?
So here is my point: optimization that can affect the relevant interfaces of your software is not premature because deciding on the interfaces your software exposes is not premature.