Is this some kind of joke?

Dear Experienced Knitters,

Are double-pointed knitters some kind of devious trick designed to insure that new knitters lose their mind, or else their eyesight? I have been trying to learn to knit socks using #2s, and HOLY MOTHER OF ALL THAT IS HOLY I AM LOSING MY MIND. I know that some of you swear by these things, but how in the world do you use them? How do your fingers not cramp up? How do you even see what you are doing?

Help me, experienced knitters. You are my only hope.