The larger second gap nowadays is not a fad. There are people with a lot more knowledge of the subject (and oem manufacturers also). Engine masters also. It's trickled down from the high eng race teams. It's to aid in controlling/preventing top ring flutter/unseating from pressure built up between the top and second ring.

30 year ago, the thinking on ring thickness was different. Now we know we can run much thinner in oem and full on race engines. There are factory "low tension" oil ring expanders too.

To each their own though.