Because the latecomers see the people who mined back in 2011/2012 with 10s and 100s of BTC so they think if they mine they will become similarly wealthy. It doesn't work like that or everybody would be buying Google, Apple and MSFT stock now.
Until mining equipment becomes reliable WRT delivery times and profit margin it's just better to buy the coin outright.
I think mining and investing is the right direction... You can invest in BTC and use some of the profits to mine... Admittedly the volatility of BTC offers the chance to make handsome profits... And loses. Plus mining is also great fun!
Yes mixing is good. Mining can be fun, but it can also drive you nuts. I got noticed just now one of my rigs is offline (offsite). Now I have to drive there just to reset the stupid thing and figures since I was there the whole day today and it behaved.
Yes but that is the fun... They are so unpredictable but saying that I'm mining PPC... And my little rasp Pi rig has been running for a couple of weeks without a break... Very reliable. There was a stage at first where I was spending too much time fiddling with it... Now it's a case of if my little lights are flashing.. Leave it alone. Difficulty for BTC changes in 4 hours... Means it will be more profitable to mine for PPC again.