What a fascinating thread. Taken as a whole it is almost a pseudo essay on what really is photography?
As long as there is a technique to manipulate a photograph, it will be done, and it will not go away, it will always be a "craze" in one form or another. Our creativity and individuality will see to that. That individuality goes hand in hand with our likes and dislikes also. I have known many photographers that have spent their lives close to penniless shooting some of the most majestic, in my opinion, art I have ever seen. By the same token, I know others who have made small fortunes, again my opinion, shooting run of the mill junk. Bokeh though? That is just another by product of picking up a camera.
I added the photo below because it is one that is a bit divisive. A lot of people truly despise this shot, and others truly love it. The reason for both groups views are usually the same. "The blurry background", or "bokeh", if they watch ads or know anything about photography. The question would be, was the bokeh necessary for the shot? For this shot I would say yes. In the background there was another coffee maker, three foaming cups, coffee canisters, flamingo solo cup and more that would have made the espresso machine lost in the shot. The other question would be, was the shot necessary? I would say probably not. On the whole, I still personally like it, even if I can shred it on a critique. Oh, Leica CL(Digital) W/Voigtlander f1.4.
So no, no craze is going away, photography is about following the rules, getting the perfect shot and making it look just the way you want. Photography is also about breaking those same rules, looking for those unique, unusual shots and just capturing whats really there. Photography is also about so much more.
Photography is as unique as everyone that picks up a camera, no matter if it as a cheap disposable from the drug store or a bank busting medium format and everything in between. Phones, pinhole, APC, 4/3, whatever you shoot with, I have seen amazing work from all of these. Just keep shooting and let it all come together for whatever you like, and don't worry about the peanut gallery.