"and once you have played with it [the simulator] throw it away. It is a good learning tool, but just look here how many threads we have had "it works in the simulator, but not on the chip. NO simulation is anything but."

I disagree.
A simulator is a valuable tool provided - as with all tools - that you understand its limitations.

A simulator is great for checking that the algorithms and logic of your code are correct, for early testing before your hardware becomes available, and can often be useful for module testing.

The "it works in the simulator, but not on the chip" scenario is often a very useful hint in distinguishing hardware & software bugs