For the most part, local ragchewing is intellectually boring. From repeating yesterday’s news, talking about the weather, current ailments, diaper leakage, or their latest bowel movement, rarely is there anything of value being discussed. I actually heard a local ham in Lincolnton, NC discussing him shitting himself, then burning his underwear in a wood stove.
DX’ing (with a brief QSO) is much more in tune with the experience I wish to have on-air. Meeting new people from different parts of the world, and having a short conversation is much more interesting for many of us, over the same old shit, day after day.