[ddingus]

Here is my theory:

The designers before them went for different metrics.

Designers need to design.

And this is how the circle of UX paradigms is powered.

Like fashion, it will cycle.

The current trends are current, until they aren't.

[ddingus]

By the way, that is not a negative statement towards design or designers. I think it's just our nature playing out.

[CRConrad]

It kind of is a negative statement: It illustrates that sometimes (often), our nature sucks.