Anecdotally I see a majority (90%+) people commenting on HN living in relatively urban areas and perhaps this is why you see trucks as wasteful - the closest thing to a working pickup truck they see is fellow commuters in vehicles that have never been off pavement without even a tow hitch, etc.
Perhaps visit the "flyover" parts of the land sometime.
Yes, if you're on a farm a pick-up truck could be useful. But the majority of buyers are not farmers (or even construction workers, though even a full-size van may be of more practicality). Pick-up trucks are far and away lifestyle vehicles for the vast, vast majority of owners.
Perhaps visit the "flyover" parts of the land sometime.