I am trying to argue that for lots of folks, film is still a valid medium to do photography
I've never contested this; not even once in the many times this issue has arisen. I do contest claims that film is superior and implications that folks that want to go digital ought to reconsider and that folks who want high resolution DSLR's are wasting their money unless they meet some stringent requirements of yours (IF this and IF that and IF the other).
As is digital, IF you can afford it, IF it makes sound business sense. If you are a pro, making a living, you are out taking pictures, not wasting time in forums like this.
How about IF you enjoy working with digital better, IF you've found you (personally) get better results and more satisfaction, IF you find that field review of images is a huge benefit, IF you find that being able to take a lot of shots without counting the cost is a huge benefit, IF you want the best possible resolution in a relatively compact camera?
As for "pro" or "wasting time on forums". I'm only sporadically "pro" and I also spend a hugely great deal more time shooting than I do on forums. However, I've learned a lot of extremely useful things on this forum, so I don't need to justify the time I spend here. If you think it's a waste of time, what's YOUR justification for being here? You like wasting time?
"Meditative" photography? That's the only kind I do. I've never done any machine gun style shooting, but I do like to be able to try lots of exposure variations and other subtle variations and then choose what I like best later when I can really see what I have.
Digital storage? I have plenty of CD's at least 10 years old and I've never yet experienced a single CD failure or any OS or platform incompatibilities so far. Sure, it's a possibility, but a small one, and a very small one if you're diligent with backup. As for migration of millions of images eventually (after a really long time), sure that's a hassle and expense, but at least it's a way of preserving your work for a really long time. What do you do with a bunch of deteriorated slides after a really long time? Long term digital storage is not "perfect" (what in this world is?), but at least it's possible.
Pbizarro, here's a direct quote from you:
full-frame DSLRs. I have nothing against them, mind you, as soon as they become affordable for me, I will buy one.
So, maybe some of us have found them already affordable. Any problem with that? Are you afraid that some of us are letting our children starve or robbing banks to buy our cameras? Sheeesh.