Decorations, like all other things, are a tool to use. Ex- Icons on Japanese websites make them usable for me. They convey messages.

I don't see how his point is saying anything besides function over form in long form.

If every product on market was taken to it's barest minimum aesthetic forms, a new problem would be presented. Things wouldn't stand out.

The solution? Change things visually to make them stand out.

Then the cycle would repeat and aesthetic choices would vary wildly including things the Author decided are "sugar", and "trendy".

Nothing he cited was entirely "useless". Especially the icons.

It's perfectly valid to construct decoration, especially if it's purpose was to be decorative. (Nearly everything on dribble)