Maybe the answer to this question would clarify. Is selling a iron condor directional? My definition of directional is that no its not. Maybe your definition of directional is that it is.
LOL! Banned by whom? Congress? The UN? God? TA is a huge low-quality junkyard with a handful of treasures hidden inside here and there. The fact that you've never found one of the treasures, and likely never will, doesn't negate the fact that they are there. Sorry, you just don't have what it takes to be a technical trader.
A lot of retail traders use chart analysis, some hedge funds use chart analysis, some institutional traders use chart analysis, some hedge funds use chart analysis other occupations use charts (e.g. real estate forecasts, weather forecasts) and so on. I guess it depends on what type of TA is being used on the charts to help make decisions while using other resources. Simply, TA is a big place...not a scam but many just don't know how to use it to help them and many don't need it. Usually those that use it...its not the only thing they're using.