In the way it was written, it was to be used as a deterrent for VFR-IMC. I think scenario based discussion (the way training is now on VFR-IMC) is better.
Now, if a newly gradulated PPL wants IMC time, I think it's a great idea.
I think I had a whopping 5 hours post PPL before the guy checking me out in my plane had me fly into IMC. My first instinct was to turn around but he said just keep going the layer is thin. After about 5 seconds I got my bearings and climbed out of it.
What I will comment on, is that after your rating and after you have had your couple of I-am-a-macho-pilot flights in hard IFR with a bit of ice, or turbulence that has the passenger barfing, you will spend the rest of your flying career working hard to avoid hard IFR.
Reality is, that for single pilot GA airplanes, real can't-see-the-prop IMC is best avoided and the rating used to get you off the ground up through a thin layer and on top in the bright sunshine, or to shoot the approach when it is just a bit scummy for VFR.
Safe flying is ALL about risk management. When the weather is 200 and a half, and the freezing level and the mountain tops are shaking hands, the best place to be is on the ground. The risk is simply not worth the reward.
You do not want to go into a cloud layer for the first time with only you at the controls. Get some actual IMC, even if you have to travel to some weather to get it, with an instructor or an experienced IFR pilot with you.
Now, once you have the rating you will find that your ability to use the airplane to travel has increased by ten fold. Just be smart and leave the hard IMC to the pros with pro equipment and two pilots.
I don't think anyone plans on getting iced up or going down to 100 and 1/4 in severe turbulence and freezing rain. But I would like to go over to California and not worry about getting home for a week because a layer won't lift. I won't be flying IMC when there are icing levels at the mountain tops. One of the trips I am going to make this year is a ski trip, but it most certainly won't be flown in IMC even if I do file and go IFR. No way. I don't have a death wish. Someday I do want an airplane with FIKI that's pressurized, turbine and capable of going into the flight levels so I can make some regular trips shorter. But as it stands I'm still a <200 hour private pilot. I live in Phoenix and I'll primarily be flying within a 500 mile radius except maybe a couple times a year. I've flown my butt off this year (180ish hours) and with the instrument rating I hope to increase my flying.