>> I admit to not understanding what at all is "hot" about seeing someone hobbled whom you supposedly care about as a fellow human being.<<

Well, I happen to enjoy the female body as well as the male body. For me, the appeal of high heels is structural -- the shape of the calf when the foot is pointed, and the way it all emphasizes the long line of the legs. This is why I also fancy seamed stockings. My eyes follow the lines of flow, as in a painting. But that's just one thing I like; I'm equally intrigued by an athletic woman in hiking gear. I can also admire the aesthetic appeal of someone's body without having any interest in them personally -- plenty of people are physically attractive but not mentally attractive. What I enjoy as eye-candy and what I would enjoy as a partner have some but not total overlap.

There are probably different reasons why various people like high heels. Some women like them for the height. If it were safe for me, I'd probably be tempted by that on at least some occasions.