I realize you're trying to make a political point, but the article isn't wrong.

Obviously both are legitimate considerations, but the quoted reason is why the patent system isn't useful for magic tricks. If you were just worried about public benefit, you could have the UPO seal the contents of such patents until after expiration. That clearly wouldn't work for exactly the reason the article gives.

I believe he's trying to make an historical point for political purposes, which isn't quite the same thing.

Or as a cynic might say... so that you can properly prove that someone infringed.