There's a flip side to gear gaps: For the toughest sections of my rides I'm liking the gaps. Compared to my 2X gravel bike I don't need to shift my new 1X nearly as much on the steep highly variable grade off-road climbs around here.
I bought the bike with the plan of converting 1X to 2X but instead have decided 1X works for me. OP asked why people want 1X? Obviously many don't but I do.
(not on my road bike though)