Just so I'm clear... I don't have a problem with handicapped events that are within reason. Everyone as the right to not play. However there is a threshold between making it a challenge for top players versus telling them they aren't welcome.In amateur events there needs to be some hd'capping/equalization used. Without it the same few players win/steal the money every time. Its not about appeasing 'whiners' as it is trying to balance the talent/skill and reduce the 'stealing'. People need to work to get better for sure but having events loaded with dead $$ is no good either. In my area(Ok,Ks,Mo) fields are bigger than ever(bigger payouts too) due to Fargo. The better players still usually win but they have to play their best every match, not near as many easy beat-downs.
My point was that players that want handicaps generally will continue to 'want' something more, or find another torch to carry. I can't stand the bottom end whiners in my area. The small events that do happen give you free access to pool all day. So for small money ~$20 you can expose yourself to competition, potentially play top talent, and hit balls for the day regardless if you go out/out or not. Complaining about not having a chance to cash is ridiculous. Value for the money is lost to those wanting handouts.
I do suffer from "back in my day bias". There was no such thing as handicapping (excluding league). You showed up, paid your equal entry, and either hoped for a bottom feeder for the win, or a world beater for the experience.
I partially agree that handicapped events don't do much to improve one's game. Those on the lower end might possibly gain the ill-gotten sense pride of beating a better player. Those on the high end should benefit from the pressure to perform.