I generally don't read the comments, either, I just happened to see the first 5 or so...
I guess I am weird. I never found anything strange about not wearing underwear, chamois butter, or the clothes. These things all have a purpose and a function in cycling. I don't find jerseys garish (hey, just another type of clothing I can buy!), or shorts weird. When I started cycling, I had been the world of gyms for 20 years, so to me, this was just a different type of exercise, with different equipment/clothes. My son and DH had been riding for a couple of years when I started, so I was well aware of all of these things before I needed them.
Of course, you don't need any of these things to ride a bike. But, if you are going to ride for fitness, these things make riding more comfortable.
I remember a few years ago, a woman in my spin class stated she could "never not wear underwear... it's not how I was brought up." I thought, OK, what does the way you were brought up have to do with being comfortable on a bike? I mean, she was complaining about chafing. I know I am much less modest than a lot of women (i.e. I kind of was surprised to see some women have to go into a private changing room at the gym), and I personally think that women are generally socialized to think this stuff is weird, as opposed to guys. Both of my sons and my DH had no issue with any parts of cycling attire. And DH and DS #2 started riding at a time when they were often harassed by drivers commenting on their attire.
I know that some stuff about cycling seems strange to others, but every sport has its "things."