Why is Crafting still in the game?

[LlenCoram]

EDIT: I should also add, that earning gil is really not one of my goals. I craft because I enjoy it, and because originally, with 1.0 and 1.23, it was a great way for me to be able to contribute to my ls since I'm not one of the better players with regard to dungeons and raids.

I know this pain so well. There's a reason everyone calls me fishercat. I fished because I enjoyed it (in 1.xx), and because my massive hoard of fish were all mostly useful. If it wasn't for some potion or food, it was for crystals or shards, and that's not to mention the shards, dark matter, and catalysts I could pull up as well. I didn't endgame or raid or whatever, so I helped my shell with fish.

Gathering and crafting both got ruined, in my mind. It's a real shame.