Usability on the web is a sham - Oh, really?

His name is Ryan Stewart and he posted this article at ZNET on December 13. » Usability on the web is a sham | The Universal Desktop | ZDNet.com
In his brief history of the Web and its transformation from academic library to marketing gorilla, he notes: "As this transformationn) happened, people conjured up the notion of 'usability' so that the web could be a more friendly place."

Conjured up the notion of usability? Would that Mr. Stewart spent a little time finding out the history of usability and exactly what usability tries to achieve. Take this quote, please.
"Trying to imprint usability guidelines that are based on the browser in blanket fashion on the web is going to stifle innovation and make the web less friendly."

Stewart's bug is the belief that usability standards and accessibility standards are written in stone and do not, or cannot, adapt to changes in Web technology. Usability, he says, will try to squash this innovation; rich Internet applications will squash usability.
Usability experts, Stewart's article let's you cast a vote and leave feedback. Make sure he hears from you.