So, the thread about dimmer switches in Ask-A-Member got me thinking, but I don't want to derail that thread.

I legitimately would like to hear some of the thought process/logic behind this crazy rush to home "automation". I put automation in quotes as this doesn't fall into "automation" in my experience, instead this is more gimmicky convenience. Automation takes on a different meaning when you have built truly autonomous systems for O/G, Factories, and other industrial applications.

My question is why?

Light switches, door locks, light bulbs, etc... I put thermostats in a slightly different category, but even then, a programmable thermostat is just as good.

Aside from the "cool" factor, what is the draw?

Some of my lack of understanding comes from the idea of OPSEC for personal lives, and some of it comes from what is the "value" for the cost that you spend on this? As digital threats get greater by the day, what is the draw of giving access to control of your house/appliances/HVAC/lighting/etc? If you can get to to it remotely, someone else can as well.

I am by no means a luddite. I have 10gbps networking in portions of my house (I can over run gigabit networks with several of my servers and my NAS). I have a half rack of servers in the garage. I have lots of tech toys. I work in tech. I just don't understand the draw, value proposition, or realistic purpose of it.

Anyway, just curious to hear the thought process that some of the Home Automation users on here care to share.