I reread the article. You're probably right (he talks about getting "called back for an in-person interview).
I swear to god I'm not commenting out of someone-is-wrong-on-the-Internet-ism. There are developers out there that really believe that what recruiters think about them matters, and recruiters really do prey on that.
As an employer, I also have an irrational distaste for recruiters. They are the worst cold-call inside salespeople ever; it is impossible to get them off the phone.
Otherwise, this "someone is wrong on the Internet" stuff that just takes up space on comment threads on HN has gotten way out of hand.