I think it's a bit more nuanced than that. McMansions are defined by their attempts to outwardly demonstrate wealth, which makes deriding them easy but justifiable. Many of the kinds of homes the author discusses here are multimillion dollar properties. Yes, there's a little snobbery involved, but I don't find it classist to point out the irony in wealthy folks appearing cheap by yelling "LOOK HOW WEALTHY I AM!"

It really is not. That's a made up defense.

The people who devalue mcmansions largely do so because these houses are the material legacy this country is leaving, and it's objectively shit. They are an irresponsible way to build and organize neighborhoods.

The lower classes don't live in McMansions. Unless it's one in an older neighborhood without an HOA that's been carved up into six rental units.

Yep. Not everyone wants to pay $5,000/month to live in a jumped-up coat closet in a "trendy" part of Manhattan.

Me, I live in a late '50s tract house and it suits me fine. I don't actually care what kinds of housing other people want to live in -- because it's none of my business. Manhattan coat closet or suburban "McMansion" -- whatever floats your boat.