Post focuses on the "easy" part (building queries), but leaves as an exercise to the reader how to do the M in ORM: so, once I submit my SQL query and get one or more rows: how do I map them into my (potential) complex set of objects? Sure thing, I can do that manually (it's easy), but that's the whole point of using ORMs: to not to have to do it manually.

I also like the idea of using plain SQL and do all the additional manual work myself (that's what I do in personal projects); I like the feeling that I'm in control. But when it comes to professional work, and there's a team behind, then handling raw SQL is a recipe for disaster. ORMs bring consistency to the table, ORMs are not the best technical solution, but are the best solution when it comes to working with people.