He isn't talking about coming to a site like HN and posting a "hey, take a look at my new webapp" thread, where people want to give you feedback and try out your new site. Instead, he gives two specific examples where some web designer or online department's pride got in the way of him accomplishing the task he came to the site to do in the first place.
The point of the post is about customer messaging. When you're talking to your customers, you should focus on the things that matter to them, not to you. The redesign of your newsletter very rarely falls into that category, and cheering loudly about it just looks clueless.
Point of the story: Some people do care about things like new design and the authors of the e-mail, the one's this blog author accuses of being marketing hacks who don't speak from the heart, are probably in fact speaking from the heart. Because some people care deeply about aesthetics.
In other words the author of the blog post mistakes "I don't care" for "no one cares" and that's why he is, imho, wrong.
It's probably important to note that this isn't my article or opinion. I just found it interesting to read and slightly amusing.
Edit: What introspective drivel is this? Nobody cares what I think about whether or not anybody cares what anybody thinks about anybody's website.
Any good community has opinions on both sides.
I'm so tired of the ego-busters. These kinds of generalizations are so 2001. Look, some people do care. The people promoting it.
In this community, the same population of people are promoting blog posts that say no one cares about your website while also promoting blog posts that say, "Code doesn't matter, you have to market your website!"
Well, seriously. Which is it? Do you want people to market their website or keep their traps shut?
My opinion, I love hearing about people's creations. I love hearing about things that are new and vibrant and created by passionate people.