These people are playing, not working in an area critical to someone else's health. Art is, in a sense, play.
Ok, perhaps the example was a bit extreme, what I'm saying is that there's a tool for every job. Mimicking the tool won't get it done better. If at all.
This is a great thread!!! Lotsa fun for sure.... I have a friend who uses her iPhone extensively and she has this nifty little set of lenses that attach *magnetically* on the back of her phone. She also is a Nikon aficiondo so the phone isn't a replacement per se - more like an enhancement.
Within reason, whatever it takes to get images that are valuable (in one way or another) to the taker is a plus.
Toting around a big tele and tripod for an iPhone makes no sense...bring a body too.
On the other hand....the ones that just snap on and will fit in a pocket or purse are a good thing IMHO as the truth was posted above, the best camera is the one you have with you.
If I'm going out to shoot pictures I will have film and decent optics, usually German, and generally a proper tripod.
When I'm at work or running down to the shops or out on the bike then I don't have a bag of my good expensive cameras with me but I always have my iPhone and there is a compact pocket digi that always leaves the house with me because it fits my shirt pocket and I hardly notice it's there. Also because I am yet to find a Hapyucc and a source of 16mm film....
Some of my best photos were taken on the pocket digi simply because it was in my pocket when an unmissable shot popped up when I was at work or on the way to the supermarket and even when I've been out with real cameras there have been fleeting images that would be gone before i could get a film camera out of the bag, but in 5 seconds the pocket cam is in my hand and fully powered up for a quick shot.
To get a good photo first you have to get A photo in the first place...
There is no doubt though that given the choice I will take a photo through Zeiss Ikon, Schneider, Hexanon or Fujinon optics on some lovely film....