Honestly, does it take pressure off them too? They must feel like they can't ever slip up, so maybe these live mess-ups are a weird relief for everyone.

Okay but hear me out (and trust me, my own cooking is usually a crime against food). Maybe that soft, no-sear-flavor steak is perfect for guys like me who somehow always turn a good cut into a leather boot. Sous vide feels like cheating for the skill-less, which is why the hype bugs real cooks like you. That missing crust is the whole point of a steak, right? It just proves your point that the gadget can't replace the actual skill of getting a proper sear.

Yeah, I had a similar issue where my apartment felt like a sealed box and all my plants started drooping. Ended up cracking a window just for them, which probably let some heat out but kept the mold away.