Why does everyone's house look the same?  

Because
...
(Fake LCW noted)
http://fuckyournoguchicoffeetable.tumblr.com/

Thanks Woodywood
You just made me burst out loud with laughter. You may also enjoy this brief post on dated decorating trends (see link below). Somebody please curate my ennui.
http://decoratorsnotebook.wordpress.com/2012/02/01/decorating-trends-we-...

Part of growing up..
... is realizing that you are not the only one on the planet that likes certain stuff.
You are right of course.
I cringe when I see a REALLY insipidly bad knockoff "Nelson clock" being advertised as "lends authenticity to any modern decor".
But IN SPITE of the herd mentality, I still love what I love. Perhaps its a test.
The herd left for awhile after the dot-com crash, and I was in heaven, picking up cheap stuff right and left. Now the heard is back, and Eames has been crowned with his own LA Museum show.
"Portlandia" a TV show, hits this nail you speak of right on the head.
I think all the bad variations and knock offs will only clarify what good design is all about. Maybe the mid century craze could be looked at as an "entry level" on the learning curve.
Lets hope so.

I think it has a lot to do with
the internet. I'm old enough to remember when you would find out about the latest trends pretty much only by reading House Beautiful once a month. And maybe when your local department store got new stuff in every 3-6 months. But now the trends spread like wildfire. Some little thing that would be appealing the first or second time you see it is suddenly everywhere and you HATE it. I mean, like within a week or two of the first time you saw it. I remember when that journey from love to hate would take a year! Or more!
I wonder when it'll change. Or how it'll change. Or are we stuck with lightning trending for good?

Bottom line
Develop your own style and ignore (but be aware of) the trends.

DOES everyone's house really look the same though?
I cant think of a single person I know who even collects mid century modern.
I would actually enjoy it if someone did.
Does anyone have friends who's places look just like theirs?
I doubt it.

Mid-century globalization
Almost every home makeover on renovation programs in Australia has a modernist flavour. Fake Eames, Nelson and Danish are more common than than espresso machines and home cinemas.
You only need to pick up an interiors magazine and it's full of mid-century modern design. I have seen people crippled with fear at the thought of not having an interior that will.be perceived by friends to be cool.
Mid-century modernist design is part of a global design trend and it's reign is coming to an end. The next new love will probably be art deco inspired modernism or hopefully something fresh and innovative. I'm sure many of us will continue to collect or admire the designs of this period.
I think the article presents some interesting observations
about design and the ways in which we live in, and decorate our spaces.

I know what you're talking about...
But why would anyone making over their house say "hey, I'm up for some REALLY stodgy and clunky spaces?
"Oh and lets make them dark and depressing too"...
I would hope to God that the love of light and well-considered spaces is a bit more universal than some mid century fad.
I think you are painting with an extremely broad brush Tick.
Color spectrum books, and that crappy "contemporary" interior you posted looks like nothing I would ever want to see in a house. That really doesnt help make your point, if that was the idea.
I am very glad to hear that mid century fans outnumber those asking for a home theatre. Finally, some progress in the world.
I do see your point though. But I think spanky's point is a good one. Its the damned internet that is making everything convolute back onto itself.
Oh and I lied. I do know some very hard core mid century collectors. They also happen to be dealers. Does that count?

I had the pleasure of going i...
I had the pleasure of going into someones house a while ago, it had no exact style. It was just full of nice things but not too many. New things, old things, brass pots with ferns, antiques, reading lamps, deco sofa, some wood panelling, an aga, very nice old carpets, a proper huge bath. It was the most unselfconscious home I've ever been in and the older I get the more it appeals.
And it was dark, none of this relentless lightness and brightness.

I would hope that a...
I would hope that a preference for light, airy and sustainable
architecture would be at the forefront of most peoples' decision to
build and/or renovate but unfortunately most new builds where I live are ugly bog standard brick veneer homes that are built right up to the fence lines. But it all comes down to personal taste and what you can afford at the end of the day.
As Heath pointed out, there are great homes which are a mix-match of eras and aesthetics but have an honesty that makes them easy places in which to live. I have always thought that great interiors evolve, they are humanized through occupation and develop a lived in look rather than being a curated collection of objects.
My reason for posting the link to the article is that the author makes
a very provocative observation about the role of design in our lives,
and in particular the ways in which design ideas and objects form part of a globalised lifestyle culture.
Myself, I'm far more interested in the ways that design objects, and particularly handmade objects, may be used by people to connect to craft traditions and design cultures that have now almost been replaced by mass production methods. I'm intrigued by the desire to fill a house with cultural artifacts such as mid-century furniture and objects, just as much as the desire to fill a house with replicas of those mid-century furniture seems void of the qualities and ideologies often associated with the original designs.
I don't think it matters if you are a dealer or not. Some dealers are unscrupulous individuals motivated by profit and some are generous people who share their knowledge and really do care about saving and documenting our design histories. What motivates us to make choices about design is many and varied, but I think it's an interesting exercise to ask yourself why the mid-century ethos has a place in your heart.
For me, there is nothing like a home full of handmade furniture, ceramics and glass objects, both new and old. These pieces remind me that inside most of us is a need to communicate our vision through the materials and
I find that both empowering and joyous.

Tick your right about the...
Tick your right about the home shows on TV but they are usually sponsered by common garden variety furniture stores who just copy the latest looks.
I can't bear to watch them but one is sponsored by Matt Blaaaaaatt and his cheap crap so the contestants would have to use it.

So true Starline
It's bad enough that some people choose to buy those nasty little replica pieces, but being forced to purchase that Matt Blatt crap should be illegal. The first thing you notice about cheap fake furniture and lighting is that it lacks the quality and proportions of the original design. Sometimes imitation is the most insincere form of flattery.
I noticed that some contestants on the Aussie reality tv show The Block were boasting about using original classic design pieces and paintings by established artists instead of cheap prints. Perhaps there is still hope as many people watch this program and may be inspired enough to seek out authentic and original art and design.

yeah, the learning curve
Thats what I was suggesting before-- about all this overkill hopefully being an "entry level" on the learning curve to better design awareness.
Not unlike one of those bad "how to" painting shows on TV. Gotta start somewhere I guess?
Unreasonable facsimiles, then reasonable facsimiles, then the real thing?

I agree:
""Unreasonable facs...
I agree:
""Unreasonable facsimiles, then reasonable facsimiles, then the real thing""
Yes, even if some of them don't arrive finally to "real" thing. They began.