| While some might even consider discussion about such things tedious, I think you raise some interesting points. In the end, I think it comes down to what the RPG is all about. D&D at its core is adventuring, killing monsters and taking their stuff. Rations, light sources and medical aid are not as important as hit points etc.
However, I think the deeper issue here is that they are not as complex. You either have sufficient rations for nutrition or not. You either have light or you don't. You can either be healed or you can't (although this last one is a little more complex). In terms of detail, there's not much to them. I think this is why they are just as easily ignored by some. Perhaps the other reason why they are not as exciting is that they only deal with penalties rather than bonuses. If there was a little more carrot in the rations, they might just be a little more interesting to focus on.
Best Regards
Herremann the Wise
__________________ Want to see through my crystal ball and what's in store for 5E? Take a glance at my Dreams of 5th Edition He who is certain he knows the ending of things when he is only beginning them is either extremely wise or extremely foolish; no matter which is true, he is certainly an unhappy man, for he has put a knife in the heart of wonder. Tad Williams | 
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