We do battle daily. I say, believing that the power of the written word is far stronger than that of a color palette or picture choice. Back and forth it goes, like a tennis match or a Senate debate. Content isn't king. People don't come to a web site for the copy.
People do read on the web.
They read what interests them, much like they look at what intrigues them. In each case, you have about three seconds to grab them. If not, they're gone - onto the next web site in search of something they aren't getting on yours. I think they're in search of a meaningful interaction - the experience of typing a URL and being instantly captivated by the right sights, words and ideas. People want to look if you give them a compelling reason to open their eyes.