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@Regal
The swaging/butting process adds strength to the steel, apparently. There is also a theory that the thinner central section of butted spokes takes more of the stress cycle than the ends, and since spokes are much less likely to break in the middle, this lengthens the spoke's life.
Thicker-than-normal ends may be a good idea though. E.g., Sapim Strong are single butted, 2.0 most of their length and 2.3 at the elbow.