In practice, thinking about myself, I'm definitely Cali-school-of-thought and I do think your dog is cute, I do think that's a cool haircut, and I do think that's a snazzy dress. And when people compliment me or talk to me I'm pretty sure they're being genuine. One thing, though, is that it's nice when people are aware of where they are and the people around them. It's definitely unreasonable to expect to have a conversation when there's a long line behind you. And perhaps we in California could learn to do that less.
But I do like the article itself because it's kind of tough love: be honest to yourself that you don't like what you're thinking. But isn't that what writer's block is? That you can't come up with something you think is worthwhile? It isn't that you literally can't write. It's that what you do write seems lame, and maybe that's because you're thinking lame things, but that's the problem and you already know that.