Personally, I don't like straddles for many of the reasons stated - for the most part (but not always), it's a tool for weaker post-flop players and hinders the better players. (NOTE: I'm not saying I'm a better player because, in most games, I'm probably not, but I prefer the skill aspect of the game to be highlighted and the luck aspect to be minimized as much as possible, anyway.). It's also a tool for bored people to add more excitement.
I especially don't like the concept of forced straddles or forced bets (other than the SB and BB, of course) based on arbitrary things like an ace hitting the flop, the cat just walked across the table, or three people sneezed. While, I do agree that other people blindly putting money into the pot is probably good for me in the long run, I prefer to play at the stakes of the table and keep my variance a bit lower. Call me a nit or whatever, but poker is exciting enough for me. I don't need the added drama or artificial excitement.
I especially don't like the concept of forced straddles or forced bets (other than the SB and BB, of course) based on arbitrary things like an ace hitting the flop, the cat just walked across the table, or three people sneezed. While, I do agree that other people blindly putting money into the pot is probably good for me in the long run, I prefer to play at the stakes of the table and keep my variance a bit lower. Call me a nit or whatever, but poker is exciting enough for me. I don't need the added drama or artificial excitement.