I think that the author is correct to an extent. One thing that Pinterest has done is set a precedent for successful design thats predominantly visual (images,

I think that the author is correct to an extent. One thing that Pinterest has done is set a precedent for successful design thats predominantly visual (images, videos, media). This improved the standard of either glossy buttons or text in general. It made navigating content a much more engaging experience than it was before. So while I do think that some websites are using the layout excessively or incorrectly (and some just straight up copy, like Pinchit) - there is a lot of value in the direction that Pinterest has chosen in displaying its content. It's one that has reflected a ripple effect in web design, as photographic and video content effectively grabs the user's attention on other platforms (ie. Facebook). As always, the take-away is that we need design with purpose and must be evaluating its effects. Not arbitrarily hopping on trends just because.