Why do long time players play the game so differently?

[Chasingstars]

okay so I'm seeing this pattern being repeated across this thread
basically people who have "already done it", i.e. have already parsed and got all hot and bothered about it, don't seem to want to do that endlessly for every single patch, every new savage tier, every new expansion
which begs the question: does parsing really matter when you have to do it all over again every 6 months to 2 years?
it feels like some endless carrot chasing that doesn't result in any long term reward or achievement, and more of a thing that you do when you're new and have something to prove.

Parsing and damage meters in my opinion only matter in the sense of a punching bag to train with and improve. If one wishes to continue improving or are just content with where they are, that is their prerogative.

[Kolsykol]

Parsing and damage meters in my opinion only matter in the sense of a punching bag to train with and improve. If one wishes to continue improving or are just content with where they are, that is their prerogative.

I use it outside of content to measure gear growth for fun ( I don't use food and pots for it it's a waste imo I am just doing it for fun ).
Inside content tho I've never used it and don't want to.
I feel like if I had a dps meter in my corner I'd actually play worse because I'd pay attention to it too much and stress out about it.