This is the bit I REALLY hate. Ok, it's sad that people die up there and the chances of getting the bodies down are slim, but they go up knowing that it's dangerous and knowing the risk of not getting back.
But to take stuff with you that you aren't willing to carry back is shit. Especially in this day and age. I figure it's ego - people are desperate to be able to say they got to the summit and if they leave rubbish on the way up and down to lighten the load, then that's not their issue. But it's still wrong.
No one NEEDS to get to the summit of any mountain - especially not if it means leaving rubbish/equipment on the way there or back or putting other people at risk (other climbers and sherpas)