The discussion centers on the inadequacies of using icons without accompanying text labels in user interfaces. Many users express frustration with 'mystery meat navigation,' where icons are not intuitive or descriptive enough, leading to confusion and inefficiency. The comments highlight specific tools, such as ObsidianMD and the Markup Toolbar in MacOS, as examples where icon reliance hampers usability. Commenters argue for the need for text labels as they provide necessary clarity and accessibility, considering that historical shifts to phonetic scripts illustrate the supremacy of text over pictograms in communication.