This is a web page

Loved the story about the squirrel

I think his point is that it's a communication system that facilitates communication amongst everyone. And everyone can communicate in words, typed out[0]. And not everyone can produce or effectively communicate using beautiful video, high quality graphics and, I guess, responsive design. [1]

It's interesting to wonder what the next-common "wide area" communication mode is -- photos are widely shared, but is there a lot truly communicated with them? I guess it depends on whether you think those picture's typically say more than a thousand words. Videos, too. They serve as a topic of discussion amongst peers, not as a mode of discussion themselves.

In fact the deeper point remains even if I conceded your argument: there are always those who excel in the creation of art and in presentation, regardless of medium. What makes the Internet different is that it facilitates peer to peer communication, that quality powered for the most part by the universality of written text. I guess that's why it if often compared to the invention of the printing press, another time such a fundamental shift in human communication took place (facilitating many to everyone, but not everyone to everyone).

Those who excel in arts and communication -- and, to an unusual degree! engineering -- are still the magic wizards/grey eminences of the medium, prominently shaping something that wouldn't exist without them.

[0] Words, typed out: A manner that's arguably truly more efficient and useful than what it's originated to represent, speech. Imagine consuming all the text content you read everyday on the web (such as this!) delivered by speech.

[1] Leaving out the fact, that of course, not everyone has the ability to participate in words, typed out. While I do think it has served to interconnect everyone in terms of exchanging thoughts, it also serves as a means of separation between those who can and those who can't: lacking access or straight up capability to use this mode.

Edit: added some more thoughts.

seems like echo of http://mnmlist.com/w

I imagine a lot of users would love to have a web browser alternative or software extension that gave users complete creative control in an accessible way- including advertisements, colors, typography and margins.

I think such a software would have to be free, but I also believe it would change the way web design and advertising works if it caught on.

Nowhere did the author actually say that.

I would argue the evidence for focus on "words" is overwhelming, and that you're attempting to change the meaning of the piece.

The author did say this however:

"At it's heart, web design should be about words. Words don't come after the design is done. Words are the beginning, the core, the focus."

The title is "Words"

The author uses "writing" and "reading" and "words" over and over again.

The word "content" isn't used once, nor anything like it (except as a negative, against content management systems).

And the author says:

"If you're a web designer, or a client who is working with one, I'd like to challenge you to think about words first. Instead of starting with a style guide or a Photoshop mockup, start with words on a page."

Again, the author is intentionally guiding toward a very precise thing: words. There is no confusion on the focus, it's blatant.