If a rider knows his gear inches, and wants to go up a little in effort and speed, or down a little in effort for more controllability, he can look at a gear inch chart and see the cheapest and easiest combination for the result he wants.

I ride a 53 X 19 for 73 inches.

What would I need to do to go to 75 inches?

77 inches?

If I have reference point, or a known starting point, I can make informed choices at how to go where I want.

I don't see that as an obsession but as simple information for making cost effective choices.