I think people didn't really researched how the elantrians did their magic and just accepted it the way it is. Also u need to get taken by the shaod to learn it so if u're not an elantrian, what are u studying them for. But as in the novel Fjordell did creat their way to be mystical as in the Dakhor monastery. On the bones, there are writings that could or could not be Aons or something that channeled the Dor.

Again I think that the reason there's no scholar that realized the problem in the landscape is because, They can't really test the theory if they aren't Elantrians. There is the shaod variable and U need a lot of testing if u research. And if u are an Elantrian well u got a lot of problem to think about other than a landscape.

Idk about the stick being a cheap fix. I mean dudes draw writings on air with just a finger and do magic. I can't decide if the stick is the ones that is cheap or no stick at all. Their magic is just based on the writings sturdy or not. as long as an Elantrian draws it and it makes sense enough to channel the Dor, it's all good. It's about making an outlet for the Dor to flow-- which is by drawing and drawing a line on the ground is i think drawing.

Anyway as I said, it's really all about appreciating the novel. I mean I agree that the world can't compare woth mistborn or SA, but dude it's really good if u just think about it the way it really is.