It is ridiculous to eliminate writer names. Although I have a feeling this is just a temporary thing. I think the desktop feed will will eventually be like the beta mobile app feed. A single column feed that works like a blog. The "frictionless reading" that Ev Williams is currently enamored with.

In the meantime, click the "All From Following" text link under the "Latest From Following" writer icons to see more stories from the writers you follow.