Being an American who never used a bidet until my 30s, but having now tried it out, it really does seem barbaric wiping your ass with toilet paper after experiencing the advancements of civilization.
That said, water isn't always effective at cleansing for all people, in every situation. Sometimes you do need the ability to apply a little more force than what a jet of water can do without causing discomfort. We probably need a product that complements the bidet approach but still allows you to dig in there with some targeted and managed pressure when you need to.