What's the point of Bitcoin eaters? I see some bitcoin documentation sites reference dummy addresses like "1bitcoinEaterAddressDontSend32425663" or something made up like that. I'd assume it's just so people reading the docs won't try to "tip" the writer and send to a foobar address that was made up for the sake of example. 

That said, I find addresses under this schema that actually have quite a bit of bitcoins in them. Like hundreds of transactions+ and thousands of USD worth (circa 2016 for future readers). 

Here is an example (1BitcoinEaterAddressDontSendf59kuE): https://blockchain.info/address/1BitcoinEaterAddressDontSendf59kuE

Who are these people sending money here, what's the point? Can anyone shed some light, lol.
I'd assume it's just so people reading the docs won't try to "tip" the writer and send to a foobar address that was made up for the sake of example


That is correct! 

Other than that, there is no other real point at all. These bitcoins are gone forever and no one will ever be able to get them. 

However there is some projects or new coins that does Proof-Of-Burning and by sending the bitcoin correctly to the bitcoin eater address you would get corresponding amount in the new cryptocurrency.