Now that does not mean that if you start in a corner and your opponent doesn't you win automatically, but it should start you in the right direction. Generally speaking we first take the corners, then the sides, and only then start caring about the center. In go there is an exception for everything, but it is very good to keep this general direction in mind.
These are super advanced tricks, and you have to see them way in advance to set it up, so I would not worry too much about this actuall technique, it was just a demonstration. But you can't deny the coolness factor, can you?