why the longer TTK is sheer perfection

I mostly agree, except for #2. When I started playing and couldn't hit the broad side of a barn, I assure you, it was often only 3-8 seconds of combat. I would often get hit twice and be down to 5% health. Some dude with hundreds of kills would barge into the room I'm at and down me before I could get two shots off with my shotgun. Time to kill is still pretty low if you're up against one of the ridiculously good players. Another reason for skill based matchmaking to exist.