I know it can be seen as a distraction, and a part the EQ which has a purpose, the visualization is not 'useful' but with such a big touch screen it feels a bit underused when nothing moves on it for long time during a long drive:)
Nah, the thing with me is that I really enjoy driving and I enjoy having music while driving as a 'mood/soundtrack to the driving'. For example when playing tracks from the movie Drive (2011) or tracks inspired but that movie the static screen is just fine. But when listening to something like Tron Legacy/Tron Reconfigured remixes etc... where the whole mood/atmosphere is more high-tech-eletronic then some useless but cool looking high tech visualization would help making the driving more enjoyable. It would complement the standard sleek and beautiful lighting of the GS dashboard.
Probably hard to explain as am I be a bit unique in the way I enjoy driving, and it doesn't distract me, thankfully always been very precise and focused when driving for the past 23 years. If anything it's the combination of these elements that adds to the experience of driving and channelling you to be fully concentrated on driving. The audio visual environment inside your car supporting your driving so you don't get distracted by other things.
Wow when I read what I just typed up I can see it may sound a bit too deep :)