> Desktop UI culture shifted from “look at this crazy skin” to “work reliably and get out of my way.”

I miss the wobbly windows I had in Linux when we started playing with Compiz.

Or neko on my Sun machines.

As for weird-shaped windows, I think it is about ergonomics. A different shape requires more thinking to operate. Form should follow function, not the other way around - if the odd shape serves a purpose, then it makes sense. If it's just to show off, or to make the app look different, then it becomes a usability issue.