Objects: Why are they useful?

[eluser]codex[/eluser]
I see people talking about objects as if they are the best thing since sliced bread. I've read about objects also (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Object_(computer_science)), but somehow I still can't figure out what they exactly are and why they are so damn useful. I mean, the way I do my coding I can get my stuff done pretty much the way I want to, but there are still a few concepts out there that puzzle me. Objects (vs ?) obviously being one of them.

Can anyone enlighten me please? :red: