I do agree and I don't. But accept your points - you've got to have fun and enjoy it but push yourself. It shouldn't be a chore - If you go with a friend you can practice emergencies - pull the mixture or the throttle on the guy, much more alarming when it goes quiet!
In essence I am unsure - I am only at 90 odd hours still got some building to do - not convinced that I can afford to do an IMC at present, am working in poorly paid but aviation related jobs. So for me, it's a case of I need it as cheap as possible.