Ok, honestly, is cast-iron really any better than a non-stick, stainless, copper (anything else?) pan?

To me, someone who celebrates a bit more of the spectrum than most: Metal hot. Make food hot.

Non-stick means easier cleanup, but my wife seems to think cast-iron is necessary for certain things (searing a prime rib roast, for example.).

After I figure those out, then I gotta figure out gas vs. electric vs. induction vs infrared….