In general i agree with what the author is saying, particularly with regard to non-probing, non-inquisitory audiences. What indeed is the point of attending a lecture or talk if you don't actually want to question what is being said and reconcile with your own view of things, or find relevance to what you are trying to achieve? we are surely not all sponges, and if someone is throwing up a picture of something complex then it better enable me to gain more insight into the subject, or i am wasting my time.

Would have been good for the author to have attached a diagram or two to illustrate his point though. (i hope that is not being contradictory now!)