"So I urge you to ask yourselves, and also let me know in the process, why did you really buy the new Lumia 950/XL?"
a) Is it because the platform and device are helping you achieve everything you want from your mobile device, in a way no other platform can, and how?
>>>>> Yes, for me the Windows mobile platform is superior in terms of user-interface, overall efficiency, and integration with the core get-the-work-done apps (MSFT Office suite, OneDrive, Office Lens, etc.). Windows Phone/Windows 10 Mobile devices come loaded with more capability built-in to the OS and MSFT's productivity apps preloaded, so there is FAR less need to load up on apps to get the job done - they are mostly already there. My current device (daily driver) is a 950, dual-SIM, unlocked, purchased at a MSFT retail store and activated on AT&T prepay.
b) Were you suckered into buying something new and shiny because you are a part of this community and thought that was the in-thing to do, and if so do you regret it?
>>>>> Not suckered, mine was a well-researched, deliberate decision. I was coming from an Android 4.1 device, had purchased a $50 Lumia 635 on prepay for a few months as a trial of WP8.1, determined that for me WP is where it's at, bought the 950 and ported my main number from Android phone to the 950. No regrets whatsoever, although I admit W10M was initially disappointingly buggy, as of 10586.29 less buggy, but still not fully baked.
c) Bragging rights, and if so, how is it helping you achieve them?
>>>>> This kind of thought never enters my mind, was absolutely not a factor for me.
d) Any other reason.
>>>>> FIRST, in my opinion Windows Phone/Windows 10 Mobile is for people who just want to get the job done and move on to the next task, or get the work done and go home and spend time with family. In my observations, both iOS and Android are, generalizing here, more for people who need or want to be entertained, and/or "be seen" with the coolest, mainstream device.
SECOND, I am enthralled with the way Cortana is so well integrated with Bluetooth headsets and wired earbuds. It enables vastly safer driving and vastly increased productivity, not just while driving, but any time one wants to have their hands free to do other work around the house/office/yard. Apparently it's just me, but I really can't believe that MSFT (as well as all WP/W10M reviewers, as well as these Windows-centric websites) never even mention Cortana's amazing capabilities that let me hear texts and dictate replies while driving, never touching or even glancing at the phone, allows me to safely dictate emails while driving, bring up traffic conditions webpages without ever touching the phone, and of course the expected capability to set reminders, etc. via voice commands. But what sets WP/W10M apart, as far as I can tell, is the automatic integration with connected BT headsets and wired earbuds/headsets (see Cortana > hamburger menu > notebook > settings > "Read incoming text messages aloud" > Bluetooth and wired headsets).