May be it's just me, but the very first example (contacts form) looks better (easier to read) on the left than text in empty space on the right (which is supposed to be the good design)...

It's not just you, I didn't even open the link and know exactly which two examples you're talking about because I left this same comment on HN a while ago.

So much of modern design is fashion yet the designers pretend it isn't. Like it's some scientifically provable truth or axiom that faint lines between list items is "bad".

Just judging by eye, I'll bet in both of those designs the "Team/Member" text would fail one of the WCAG grades.

Thin, light grey text on a white background is not really very good design.