I'd disagree.
A uniformly lit object tell us little about the object in question. Shadows can tell us quite a bit about hazards - just like shadows in the real world tell us about terrain, surfaces, overhangs on buildings, lunar or martian surface, etc. etc. If you are trying to capture a painting, yes - by all means light it as flat and as uniformly as possible. If you are trying to capture a sculpture - you photograph it with a lighting scheme that allows detail to be captured while showing the depth of the form. I'd argue that I want to know what the pavement characteristics I'm riding over are. I don't plan on studying it and writing a thesis about it - but I do want to understand what I'm coming up on.

I think helmet mounting for general road riding is too high (and is annoying to other riders if you ride in a group).
I think skewer lighting is too low.
I'm a fan of a light between mid fork and below the bars.
I also think that depending on reflector shape and design of the light there is an optimal position on where to put it to throw out the best beam.

I wonder why car headlights are not mounted on the roof or at eye level? Standard location is about mid to upper wheel level. (yes, I know off road vehicles have them mounted high ... but I already suggested that off road riding benefits from a helmet light + low light)