Mark, what you're saying is basically the same as what some model railroaders have said about "rivet counters", that their attention to detail means they can't be having any fun, and if they get any favorable attention, it looks as if anyone who doesn't do as much, must be slacking. I'd rather just repeat the mantra "Model railroading is fun", but add that we can't define anyone else's fun. You may like being fanciful, Lance Mindheim doesn't: don't ask me who's right. I think his use of MR's space was justified, because even if I haven't got Mindheim's skill and mental outlook, I can (just maybe) learn from his ideas. I could probably learn from you too, if you cared to share anything. I think what I admire most in other people's modeling is the "atmosphere" they create, and I thought Lance Mindheim explained that quite well, as a result of color and texture, and the amount of space between items on a layout. Oh yes, and backdrops that don't steal attention from the solid models! You might want a different feel, and it's your right.
Every year over Thanksgiving weekend there's an event around here called "Tour de Chooch" where a lot of guys who have home layouts (and one or two club setups) have simultaneous open houses, and you can travel around and visit a selection of them. I like to go around partly to see the different approaches people take, even if I don't totally like some of them. I think everyone shows something of himself in what he builds, and if it's not what I'd build, that's perfectly fine. So I'd say if you don't like Mindheim's style, maybe there's another article in MR that suits you better.
Evidently Lance Mindheim has some persuasion to do, because four out of the five entries in "Trackside Photos" have backdrops of hills or mountains, and they all look pretty good!