alt Hacker NewsSorry, but I think that this is a completely made up problem. I've checked out the referenced Tonsky's article [0] and for me "colorful" examples are much easier to read than his suggested alternative.
Also, I had to use reader view for TFA because of this silly pixelated font. Ironic, considering that the article is about readability.
Of course it's a made up problem, most ultimately are. Programming (and life) are full of bike sheds for those with eyes to see them, does that mean they should not be painted?