Many new modelers are sport pilots and not modelers. We have newbies locally that have to get someone else to put their BARFs together for them and fix them when they crash. They miss out on the fun of being creative, solving problems, learning the math of aeronautics, building, designing and dreaming!!!
The BARF crowd does indeed miss a lot. I suppose we live in the age of instant gratification. It seems that many want an engine that needs no break in or tuning to bolt into their ready-to-fly and go flying with neither effort or learning.
Personally I get a great deal of pleasure from building and tinkering with engines (both model and motorcycle). These activities have the additional advantage of not being hampered by weather or darkness.
I get a lot of satisfaction from seeing my own creation fly. For me a arf would be like displaying a trophy won by someone else.