This is a pretty weird hill to die on, boss. Are you suggesting that all of the software written over the years by emacs users (eg gcc) is “ivory tower”?
As a community of practitioners we should embrace the idea that not all tools have to be “ideal” for all users. Some people like hacking their editor, and some don’t. If software tools sink to the lowest common denominator, like the vast majority of commercial software, we’ll all be worse for it.
1. I ain't willing to die on any hill. In fact I was 100% certain I'll regret commenting negatively on Emacs. Pretty ardent and devoted fans, it seems.
2. The ivory tower thing is dedicated to the parent poster sounding a bit elitistic and trying to imply I am doing it wrong and he's doing it right -- which I did not deny by the way (which is the really funny part) as my central point was "too much freedom is not good".
3. I completely agree with the notion that not all tools are ideal for all users. I used this sub-thread to express a strong opinion that Emacs allows the "too much freedom" thing that actually becomes much more of a hurdle for those of us that just want to get on with it. I was sure it's going to ruffle feathers which makes me commenting on it fairly stupid, come to think of it, because I was not looking to pick fights, but just to broadcast an apparently unpopular opinion and never engage with replies. Which I failed spectacularly. :D
> If software tools sink to the lowest common denominator, like the vast majority of commercial software, we’ll all be worse for it.
Here's the part where you and I will disagree. Your statement is correct on the outset but I take issue with it because I take it as a hint that Emacs > all other editors. Which cannot be stated as a fact, ever, not for any editor, not just Emacs.