I read the article and I mostly disagree with the author's concept that weight really doesn't matter. I agree with the basic concept the author has but, again for me, it just doesn't hold out, especially the more hills you have. I have done lots of weekend trips over my 40+ years of touring with a wide variety of setups, from basically unloaded to fully heavily loaded as a test ride for a multi-month, limited services tour. And the weight made a huge difference.
To test this yourself, load your touring bike up with your packs full of empty milk jugs or those air bubbles that come with packages you receive from Amazon or wherever. If you usually have stuff on your rear rack, strap empty milk carton jugs onto it. That would be the lightest weight and keeps most of the aerodynamic drag the same.
Go ride a undulating road for 25-30 miles (a tour's half day ride) unless you plan to only ride in flat eastern Colorado. After the ride, fill the milk jugs full of water that are in your panniers, strapped to your rack, etc. Go ride the same route and see if how you feel afterwards.
About a decade ago, I actually a did the above test (but only for 14 miles and the weight set up was reversed) and I noticed a huge difference. I did it initially just trying to see if the water would help me get into shape faster. Not only was my time like 13 to 15 minutes slower but I was much more fatigued. Granted, I was not in the best of shape but the only thing to change was the water added to the empty milk jugs. Unfortunately, I did not weigh it. I just remembered I had at least 8 gallons of water on the bike or at least 64 pounds. I was 5'10" and about 175 pounds at the time I would guess. I don't have a huge amount of reserves so to speak in the old legs so when it gets hard, I feel it probably more than most.
Other times, when on tour, I will buy a whole watermelon for the group and carry it the last 3-10 miles to camp and I always notice the extra weight. My speed may not diminish too much as I try to stay with the others but I sure do have to work harder to do it.
That said, I totally agree that aerodynamics play a huge part in it. And I am NOT saying be a gram counter; bring what makes you smile. I just think the article gives the impression that weight does not matter that much when, to me, it really does.