I totally agree with you that paleo critics get hung up on the caveman crap, and it's crazy, because most paleo people I know are just not into that at all. I also agree that most people I know who are paleo are prioritizing health over weight (and I've heard so many stories from friends about the specific ways in which eating in this way has improved their health), in contrast to those I know who have gone on the Atkins or South Beach diets (which may contain a lot of processed junk).

A former teacher of mine recently posted about co-authoring this, and it annoyed me on so many levels (I read it just to confirm my suspicions!):

http://www.amazon.com/The-Low-Carb-Fraud-Colin-Campbell/dp/1940363098

Debating whether or not to respond. I also did the Whole30 (though probably more plant-based than some, being mostly pescetarian), and really benefited from it.