The vacuum pot ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacuum_coffee_maker) appeals to the geek in us. The brew is supposed to be more "pure".

I think just like with smoking, coffee brewing is a ritual and people enjoy the ritual just as much as they enjoy the taste and the effects of coffee itself.

I like tea. Recently I have gotten to like this strange black tea called pu-erh (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pu-erh_tea). I you like black tea, give it a try it definetly has a unique flavor. Some people really like it, some really hate it.