Avionista, the point is not that I have run out of things to spend money on in aviation, nor that I can't think of some 'good ideas' for people to do. The point is that I don't think they should be mandatory unless there is a clear, evidenced need. BEagle hasn't responded to this - which makes me suspect that (s)he does indeed understand the point.
I personally enjoyed a trip to ATC and D&D at West Drayton last year. I learnt things about both, especially D&D that I didn't know beforehand. I'd greatly recommend it (although it now means going to Swannick). I would not recommend that if you didn't go then you couldn't revalidate your licence.
Hands up who thinks that we need more regulation and cost in aviation? Well, that'll be the NPPL steering committee then.