Randy T and I discussed this a bit online, and I was recently speaking with other architects about it, but I see a bit of "Throw the kitchen sink at it" mentality. You never know in this climate if its your last big project, so many of us tend to try stuff we never did, or put every idea we ever liked in a project. Not sure if that will be a good or bad thing, but it could be a small period where designs are recognized for perhaps over doing it, even at a time when owners probably need the most practical designs ever in most cases.
As to the shaping contest, in my mind, it had to happen. Every architect was looking for something new to try, and earthmoving was probably the cheapest new thing. Then, in typical "pendulum swings to far" mode, it went nearly completely the other way. Not so sure somewhere in the middle isn't the best conceptual place to land.
As to the next big thing, agree jagged bunkers should run their course. If we spent the last decade modeling after the 20's, I guess someone will start touting the 50's as this decades model. You wonder why there is no creativity when the basic hype in gca as always been to emulate the past? At least the shaping contest was original thinking, but like modern art, seems to have failed to find an audience. But, just think, in about 50 years, architects will be emulating the 90's-2006 era.