The lack of enthusiasm for Poser isn't because it doesn't cost alot. It is because of licensing restrictions and the overall lack of usability of the program.
Architecture?...Industrial Design?...Game Design?...Real-Time?
You can't blame someone working in industry that has no use for Poser for not using Poser!!!
You also can't blame an animation studio working with multi-million dollar budgets under intense pressure from wanting to use the best tool they can get their hands on.
That isn't elitism, it is reality, and common sense.

You might as well go ahead and try to explain that rendertime nonsense you are talking about too. I have never, ever, EVER seen anybody anywhere at anytime say that 'slower is better' in any area of 3d graphics; or any time (=money) based operation for that matter.

Friends don't let friends use booleans.