RE: Are we really this bad?
I actually find ARFs MORE time consuming to build than kits. I end up changing half the components out because they are too weak, too sticky (linkages), too this or too that. I grew up building kits and enjoy them and, like others have said, feel a connection to the model. ARFs just don't do it for me. That said, if someone likes assembling ARFs and gets out to enjoy the hobby, I have no problem with that.
Tim