John,
Thanks for the needed reality-check! We have a hobby, which is something we choose to do because there's something about it we like. Just what that attraction is, can be as different as the individuals who take part.
There are hard standards in events like each of the Carrier classes, Official or not. Things can be measured, accurately, and performance that measures out better is unarguably worth whatever reward/award is there.
When competition can be 'hard-measured' like that, we can enjoy ever better developments. Positive results win, and trying to fly well enough to win is one of the basic reasons to compete. Again, with clear standards, not winning is not so much a put down, as it is an opportunity to see how to improve your own efforts.
...and to evaluate whether any extra effort stays attractive to you. If it suddenly takes, as Paul suggests, money instead of craftsmanship and flying skill, that might reduce the attractiveness to a significant degree. But it still can be a compelling inspiration to try harder...
Stunt is more subjective than objective. Impression on the judges is where the scores come from - not hundredths of a second, how long a 60° hover angle is exceeded, or whatever. Even there, in CLPA, a lot of 'standardization' has been achieved - but it is still judged subjectively.
If we don't enjoy flying a particular event, why should we bother? If there are generally agreed areas where rules can be improved, discussion, and people willing to try their ideas out in actual local contests, go a long way toward winning general acceptance.
For those who enjoy reaching for the ultimate legal and possible performance within the event rules, I'm strongly in favor of encouraging them to do so. It's a pleasure to see Eric C's slow flight: VERY impressive! My personal opinion that such angles and times are not "realistic" always includes my realization that CL Carrier models are NOT the human carrying prototypes they may resemble. They are purpose designed and engineered aircraft, to very definite specs and requirements. And the best (fliers and) models meet the far cutting edge of that technology - whether at great or humble equipment cost.
Beauty is as beauty does...