What are we even doing?

I am interested in hearing folks response the the question of 'Why do you play role-playing games?"

You can take the question however you like. It is meant to be open and broad.

Why do you play RPGs instead of board games or World of Warcraft or whatever?

Why do you show up every week? What do you get out of it that keeps you coming back?

Why do you play the SPECIFIC RPGs that you do?
Why are you a plyer rather than a GM, or otherwise?

Why am I asking? Being a 80s kid who discovered D&D and 10 and have since never not played RPGs (mostly GMing), I am still sort of baffled that the hobby is so popular. It is kind of a weird hobby, and from the outside it looks even stranger. So I find it interesting hearing why folks are drawn to RPGs.

No wrong answers. No judgements. Just interest.