[hipsterelitist]

As someone with a formal design education and a uhh "technologist", I think this argument is pure crap. You're looking at "designers" in tech and making a very valid critique of the industry at large, but these designers have very little to do with it. Yes, they're pumping out derivative cloying work like every start up does because that's what they get paid to do. I think you might need to step out of the tech bubble before throwing stones at others for sitting in it.

Most of the designers I know aren't in tech (mostly so they can have autonomy and greater impact, slightly less to do with finding it wholly un-interesting and trivial) and your whole critique just doesn't seem to hold water for them.

[aridiculous]

I agree, I simply replaced "design" with "interface design" and everything makes sense.

[fowkswe]

Replace "design" with "startups".

He is describing the culture of creating business's whose real purpose is to attract VC funding with the goal of finding an 'exit'.