What I don't understand is that in my train of thought, it's fun to see how much weight I can lift, or maybe getting a couple more reps at a given weight. for runners, maybe how far they can run or how far in a given time...
We do this, too. We train to increase strength and keep track of maxes for comparison purposes. Maybe not everyone keeps track of their maxes but I certainly do. It's very rewarding to see progress. We also record track times like 5k, 1mi, 400m so we can guage progress there as well.
in crossfit, you are doing some half@ssed weight lifting and some grade school style calisthenics. a lot of the form is questionable at best (ie: kipping) all the while being timed.
I'm not sure what you mean by half@ssed weight lifting. We do all the traditional power and olympic lifting movements (squat, deadlift, press, bench press, snatch, clean, jerk) and good coaches ensure that we have proper form. They will even make sure we workout at lower weights to make sure we minimize the risk of injury. Regarding the calisthenics, do you mean workouts that involve burpees or pullups or pushups? I don't see anything wrong with including bodyweight exercises in an all-around fitness type of program. Is there something specific you dislike about these types of exercises?
Do you have examples of the questionable form to which you refer? Kipping is only performed on a small subset of exercises (pullups, handstand pushups, muscle-ups) and is supplemented by workouts in which strict non-kipping movements must be performed.
Do I really care how long it takes me to do a 100 burpies mixed with some 135# snatches? You don't get built like a bodybuilder, nor do you get the strength of a power lifter. Sure some of the top guys/gals have decent builds, but if I am busting as in the gym, I better get massively yolked, or lift some epic weight... not just slim down a bit and move some half assed weight with crappy form 50 times in 8 minutes
I would say that though I am neither built like a bodybuilder nor have the strength of a power lifter that I have decent and increasing aptitude at the movements performed in either endeavor (at my age, height, weight, experience). That is what I think crossfit does for me.
If you only want to be built like a body builder then there are probably much better, more suited programs for you. Likewise, if you only want the strength of a power lifter.
Regarding the cult-like status, I think that's just an unfortunate byproduct of people who are just really, really excited about what they've been able to achieve. But because it's a pretty well known byproduct I try my best to not proselytize about it wherever I go and just provide information and opinions from my own experience.