Perhaps, but we introduce a new implicit specification by doing this, possibly closing the door for situations where white-space is relevant. The common appear

Perhaps, but we introduce a new implicit specification by doing this, possibly closing the door for situations where white-space is relevant. The common appearance of the ignorant user seems to stem from him generalizing patterns as a holdover from one UI to another. Perhaps we should better study these patterns and steer the user to a consistent path. But instead, it seems we're trying to out-smart him time and time again, creating a jungle of user interactions which merely belittle and confuse.