Nice rant, but I think developers think otherwise. Since the Mac app store has been opened up we have seen awesome success stories from developers who are now using a second or even primary sales channel for their product. With a lot of success.
I agree that Trials are nice to have. Fortunately in many cases you can still go to the developer's site and download a trial or demo copy.
Sorry, I've read these articles too often to even bother clicking through to the rant.
The Mac App Store will do fine. In fact it will be an amazing, resounding, blindingly successful success. You don't have to like it. There are in fact a lot of things I don't like about it ... but that doesn't change the fact that Apple customers will LOVE it.
If you don't love it, it wasn't meant for you... stop being such a hipster.
I agree that Trials are nice to have. Fortunately in many cases you can still go to the developer's site and download a trial or demo copy.