I think a lower goal and lower duration leading to higher success makes sense. As the article says, the lower goal average is just more realistic which I say resonates with people who are looking to back a project. As for duration, well...wouldn't you want to get in on something cool before it expires?
That's surprisingly low. I would have expected more of a long tail of failures approaching 70%. Maybe more people than expected are lowering their target to ensure it's reached.