The reason there's so much debating is that thieving is an intractable problem -- there is no final solution. But the way I look at it, SB owns way more bikes than most of us, and has more experience than most of us, so his technique is probably about as good as you're going to do short of carrying 30 lbs of locks with you.

Carrying a mini lock and a cable is an (almost) reasonable load on 20+ mile loops.

About chain stays -- in his photo it would be easy to include the stays with his single speed bike. But with a thicker pole, and a front derailleur, it starts getting technical. I do use this approach in some situations. But I do worry about accidentally knocking the front derailleur out of alignment.

About the bulldog mini lock, I sometimes feel like I'm going out to my car, fishing for my keys. The key even has a cute (though nearly useless) LED on it. If lock manufacturers really want to clean up, they should embed an "unlock" sound in the key so the cyclist can pretend to be opening their bike remotely -- just like for cars. Chirp! Chirp!