As a vim user, I am 100% convinced that I am not that much faster than my colleagues who use normal key binds. However, I subjectively feel a lot less friction editing with vim keys than I do with the mouse and arrow keys. So Vim makes me happier...
This is the way I look at it. The productivity claims are probably a bit overhyped. For me Vim is just simply fun! It makes me think of the best way to do something, and there is always something new to learn. It makes me happy as well :)
While your perspective is totally valid, I think the idea that you always have to think about and learn how to use your editor seems to confirm the original commenter's point about the whole thing being too complicated.
To which I say, I've been using Vim (and nVim) for more than 20 years now, and the learning part is optional after a year or so of intense use.
Same thing. Not sure why everyone is obsessed with the speed argument. Reducing cognitive load is the goal. How do you do that - with vim or something else like snippets or copilot or just muscle-memorying ctrl/shift-arrow motion is up to you.
Asking why people prefer vim is like asking why they prefer skateboard over rollers. You’re proficient at what you learned the most. The only thing you have to keep in mind is that every tool has its limits, so choose what you’re going learn from that perspective as well.
