I think modals and hover states to some extent were a response to bloated sites—at least on the web. They needed a new way to grab your attention. They used eve

I think modals and hover states to some extent were a response to bloated sites—at least on the web. They needed a new way to grab your attention. They used everything in their arsenal already and needed to drive your focus. Thankful—as Hagel would appreciate—the synthesis was to turn down the crazy flashing, colors, super explosion that many websites are—and sadly many remain.