You're not missing anything—some people just like to grumble. I've never seen anyone come up with a reasonable alternative that isn't "rely on your own faulty memory."
Okay, so you're an asshole. Let's set this straight.
I don't store my passwords anywhere. I don't need to remember my passwords, they're the results of functions based on logical deduction and observation within the context of the "thing" I need the password for.
And my passwords are all, without exception, beyond 10 characters.
