I was reflecting on QRP recently and comparing it to other activities. Why do rock-climbers climb, well, rocks to get to the precipice. There may be an easy footpath or paved road available. Why do mountain climbers do it the hard way. A rented helicopter could get a group of them to the summit quickly.
It is the sense of successful accomplishment achieved no other way.
The same applies to QRP operating. Sure we could run the full legal power our country's authorities allow, but would we, do we feel the same after contacting a distant distant station with QRO as opposed to QRP?
Why use a light-weight fishing rod and reel when we might get away with dynamite.
I may be "preaching to the choir" here but I would rather be beat to a rare one by someone running full legal QRO than contribute to the chaos.
Anyway, I define DX as distance not rarity.