Why does everyone want shinies so much?

[SBaby]

That, and they want to have Pokemon that are more funky looking than Power Rangers.

 

[kohei]

Because official recoloured sprites which are ultra-rare are perceived to be cool?
Dunno. Apart from bragging rights and showing how much free time you have on your hands if you "shiny hunt".

 

[GIVEMEDARKRAI]

Shinies

The One Horible Misconception About Shinies Is That If You Catch Them And Their Nature Goes Against Them (such As A Rampardos With A Nature That Lowers Attack But Hightens Sp.atk) It Will Be Only Used To Brag Then You Will Lose And It Will Seem Less Interesting

 

[Pkmn Trainer Alex]

But of course, there are people who do manage to catch the shinies they want with the natures they want. And people are still eager to find such specific Pokémon for trades as well...

As far as the appeal, yea, it would be the rarity and shine factor, but I think with all the cloning going on, rarity isn't that big a deal anymore, since most people who have a Shiny Mew, for example, probably have either a hacked one or a cloned one. It's quite sad if you really wanted to have something truly "one-of-a-kind." :(

 

[GIVEMEDARKRAI]

Oh Yeah

It Is Almost Impossible To Get A Non Hacked Non Uplicated Shiny Mew

 

[Pkmn Trainer Alex]

Yea, bad example actually lol. But you get the drift. The luxury of having a Pokémon to brag about is lessened when other people have the same exact one from the same exact trainer with the same exact IVs, nature, etc. But if you're in it just for the shine, it won't matter much.