I noticed an assumption that he makes that's worth pointing out. All the examples he gives where overly realistic elements are distracting are interactive ones,

I noticed an assumption that he makes that's worth pointing out. All the examples he gives where overly realistic elements are distracting are interactive ones, things you're supposed to click on, switch off, etc. However it can enhance things that are read-only so to speak, like information dashboards. For example, Lexus's new LF-A sports car has digital gauges that sport very realistic-looking dials that imitate the analog ones they replaced, with a few enhancements like turning the face white for sport mode, turning it red when the RPMs hit the redline, etc. Quick video clip of it in action: http://paultan.org/2009/11/13/lexus-lf-a-has-one-really-cool-meter-panel/ http://paultan.org/2009/11/13/lexus-lf-a-has-one-really-cool...