Nin, I think they have 1st generation LCDs, discount LCDs they bought on black friday, and/or brand names none of us have ever heard of that they bought at Wal-mart, and wonder why the hell they're so shitty. If they can truly see such a gawking difference then I feel sorry for them having to endure LCDs everywhere else in their daily lives...the incredibly low refresh rates must bring them to having epileptic seizures.
In regards to "you previously were able to cope with the size of CRTs, why can't you now?" Perhaps I've gotten used to being able to utilize the extra workspace and see no reason in giving it back for no added benefit.