In reply to Devin Walker.

Scaling is the reason it makes sense to implement a UI that incorporates shortcode control within the Add Media modal or something similar.

Just like a horizontal navigation doesn't scale as good as a vertical navigation for menus, adding lots of buttons to the TinyMCE interface is just going to add clutter. Especially if you have a theme and plugins that incorporate a bunch of shortcode options.

Then there is the issue of consistency. If each theme and plugin is adding icons that open up their own modals within the editor that means they are likely also using their own implementations for the workflow and UI rather than providing a consistent experience.

Consistency is extremely important for user experience as well as simplifying UI's for end users.

From a non-technical user perspective being able to easily see the shortcodes at your disposal and be able to implement them in a consistent fashion would be a good thing.

Right now it's pretty much a crap shoot with plenty of themes and plugins not even providing a UI of any kind for implementing their shortcodes. This is a way for WordPress to provide the tools to make doing so a no brainer and by doing it in a way that is consistent from theme to theme and plugin to plugin.

That is a good thing and it's most definitely the direction WordPress should be looking to go in.