I don't think they're paying attention to this thread anymore.
But, my bet is the answer to your question would be the same stock line they've repeatedly given about a lot of their design (of both the game and forum)—that they're trying to appeal to and foster some other kind of culture or something. Like, stuff about how the look of this forum is somehow dorky, intimidating, and unaccessible? It doesn't make a great deal of sense to me, but whatever.