Will the madness never end?

that's because most people have the bars too low and too far away from them, there's no point in having a racy position on the tops, when you get down on the drops you'll be licking the front wheel and stretching like a rubber band.

with the correct riding position, the drops can be as comfortable as anything, they are there to be used, to make you more aero dynamic, not a torture device

very much agreed.

I see so many people with way long stems, and poorly sized frames. Going on the drops feels an impossible difference and well awkward, the combination of long stem + bullhorns or brake hoods also feels crazy choppy as does super wide bars you seen on a lot of bikes.

Make sure your bike fits you, and consider narrower bars if steering is light. Then drops become a joy to use. they are the perfect height for em on my raleigh, I definetely use everytime to power up hills and feel very stable in doing so.

Unlike the fashionistas with 5 inch sharp drop stems and enourmous bars on their Keirin/track bikes.