Why own them? Not because I just want to sit and stare at them through glass. They're pets, and if a plasic tub is a better (more comfortable for the snake) enclosure, then I'll use it. It's easy to keep clean, doesn't take much space, and the cloudy sides make it so the movement from the room isn't as stressful. It isn't really about what a snake "likes" or "dislikes" as much as it is about what stresses the animal out, and what makes it comfortable.
The most important thing is getting the husbandry right (temps, humidity, hides). What you put it in or what you make it work in is really up to an owner. There's nothing wrong with naturalistic setups and people are free to have them. I just personally prefer plastic tubs.