Not if you take into account what the cord is designed to do.
Seems like common sense that since it's purpose is to avoid flinging the laptop on the floor by being pulled at, pulling the cord out would/should not harm it.
Also note how tiny the connector is. It's too tiny to hold and pull out between two fingers to the average hand because of the magnetism.
I actually thought this thread was a joke. If it's not okay to pull it out by the cord, then the connector is simply improperly designed.
Also, the fact that they actually advertise the connector as being okay to be pulled out by the cord kind of works against what those videos indicate.
Its kind of like putting a giant red PASSENGER EJECT button in the middle of the dashboard in a car, and then posting a video saying how you should never use it, but instead slow down and exit manually.
This is common sense that applies to any cable. Why do people blame their problems with the magsafe on it's design? If you yank repeatedly on the old apple connectors by the cable, you'll get the same problems.
The L-shaped MagSafe 1 Power Adapter has the same issue.
If you pull it by the cord it will eventually break off the solder joints and separate the cord from the head completely. Don't ask me how I discovered that, or how I had to buy a new $100 power adapter from Apple.
Always grab the little metal tube. Don't even touch the cable.
But don't disconnect the metal tube by twisting it sideways, because that will cause strain on one side of the magnetic head. There are two little rods in there that hold the head in place and I've seen both of them snap on mine after 5 years.
Simply grab the little metal tube and flick it upwards and it will disconnect safely and effortlessly with almost no force needed. And it will place equal (and minimal) strain on both sides of the ferrous magnetic head connector.
I look forward to this new power adapter lasting for the remaining life of my laptop.