It's such a daft article.
Seats are designed to recline, and you have every right to do so. Of course, consideration needs to be shown during mealtimes (when, for your own purposes an upright seatback is normally preferable).
But I would have no compunction in reclining my seat, and I find it odd that anyone would go to such lengths of personal discomfort to avoid reclining, and write about it.