1- It's not so much peer pressure as simply not getting invites/being kicked because you don't gear swap
That's BS, there are so many parties who just want to have fun, and FFXIV allows for all layers of fun.

2- Complexity is great, implement it in team tactics not in what you wear
Team tactics I agree with, but gear change is essential. Plus, many warriors use to wear many levels of armour, or even change shields, changing clothes is just the extension of logic into fantasy.

4- Really? in what world do you just set down that 8' spear and pull that other one out of your "magic pack of holding" then hit the monster, then put down that "combo spear", pick up the "tp spear", and so on and so forth.?
In anime it happens all the time, so your argument is null, and we're playing it for the thrill factor, Man I even question gravity in the game, because it is fantasy, the point is to enjoy the fantasy aspect. Making it close to real would make anything in the game moot. Relating the game to realism is fine, but parallel argument fails. FF world has girls changing costumes mid battle, so your argument is moot again.