This guy gets it. It has it's place, that is for sure.
This guy also gets it.
This guy doesn't get it
Actually, I disagree. I think he gets it, but is more in the camp of not heavily defoliating. I'm more or less in that camp too.
This is not to say that I don't understand what the OP is doing. Can it be done? Sure ... he's doing it on his own grow. I can see where he would need the airflow and the light penetration with the number of plants in his little 3 x 3 tent. I've tried
sea of green ... which is kind of what he's doing with his plants so close together. I didn't like the crowding and how difficult it became to take care of my plants. But I was also growing in soil and that does make a difference.
It's my preference to give plants space and to leave green leaves on the plant unless it's shading too much.