There is an echo chamber @halloweenchild ... I don't think everyone is in on it, but there are a lot of folks that plain don't like this game and will jump at a chance to say it like they played it, or went to a friends house to play it (that one always cracks me up), or watched someone play it or just has to say oh my god this is terrible over it.
Then again there are different play styles. For me it's not hard... I can't do it super fast and don't want too but I definitely don't want the game making me grow a plant for a half a year or more to finally be able to make a potion. That's not fun, no way.. I'd give up. Thing is those that want to do that can do it that way.. they really can.. but seems they want everyone penalized. You don't have to buy that apple from a vendor, you don't have to buy the crystal from the computer.. go grow it yourself, find it, or fish it up.
I know there are people that play for challenge.. but this really isn't that type of a game and to make it limited to only challenge loving players would make (I believe) the bulk of us miserable. We'd be searching for ways to mod or cheat and pulling our hair out over it. They mostly just have to limit themselves or throw in things that could make it harder (lot traits, other traits... try to play with curses ect), but I guess many can't do that for some strange reason.