I think some paper straw designs are bad, especially recent ones created solely to capitalize on this. However, I've used some that were stiffened with wax (not

I think some paper straw designs are bad, especially recent ones created solely to capitalize on this. However, I've used some that were stiffened with wax (not good for hot drinks but stronger when chilled - great for milkshakes), and some that were rectangular that bent like a gutter drain that were pretty pleasant. I don't think it's beyond possibility to create thoughtful, functional paper straws. In general, I'd rather use anything besides plastic and I don't really use straws, so the existence of bad straws doesn't affect me. I own a few metal ones that probably took more energy to create than all of the straws I've used in the past two decades, but whatever.