People were also doing math before calculators. So? If I can use a calculator to get me the product of 345*251 faster than I can do it on paper then I'll use a calculator. Because the answer will be instantaneous. Why would I want to wait when I know the result will be the same?
The result
won't be the same if you don't know how to do it on paper and
you
won't know how to do it on paper for long unless you continue to do it
on paper at least some of the time.
Film is film, it was the ONLY way for a long time, and it had it's drawbacks because of it's format, those drawbacks haven't changed but because there is a better solution out there people have largely switched.
Let's be honest. The reason the vast majority switched is because they
perceived digital to be easier, faster and cheaper.
And, since you enjoy using analogies -- eating at McDonalds is popular because
it is easier, faster and cheaper then preparing one's own meals. But, does
that make McDonalds better? Not to me it doesn't.
Watching TV is also easier, faster and cheaper than going outside and
doing things in real life. Does that make watching TV better than outdoor
activities?
Buying one of those keyboards that plays music at the touch of a button
is also easier, faster and cheaper than really learning to play. So, is buying
an automated instrument better than actually learning to play a real one?
Since it is easier, faster and cheaper should we dispense with all manual
musical instruments and just have those automated things around? Does
the invention of automated keyboards make a person a fool if he wants
to learn to actually play a real instrument? Or, is the fool the one with the
automated instrument who thinks it makes him a musician?
There are still authors who use typewriters. But if I wanted to write a book I'd use a computer. I'm not going to use a trypewriter then scan the pages in to a computer and OCR it. That is pointless. I'm just going to start with the computer. If I want a nice typewritten letter than sure I'll use a typewriter, but how often do I want that?
Look -- we film photographers
know that digital is easier, faster and
cheaper than film photography. It's not necessary to keep telling us
that.
The point you seem to be missing is that there are other reasons for doing
things. Not everyone makes decisions based on which way is easier, faster
and cheaper. I know that may be hard to believe but it is true.
I don't shoot film because I think it's easier, faster or cheaper than digital.
(I shoot both BTW). I know that film is more difficult, slower and possibly
more expensive than digital. I do know this. I just don't make decisions in
this case based on those 3 adjectives as you appear to do.