[postmodest]

I suspect several of your examples are very likely the result of I18N considerations. Some alphabets/ideographic languages are denser than others. So text areas are set for the compact-est common denominator, and icons are unlabeled for similar reasons.

[yencabulator]

This is purely the fault of the web designer. Let the content take the space it needs!

Pixel perfect design is dead but still living a zombie life.