Yes, reminds me of "we have 14 different standards. Let's implement a new one that encompasses all that is needed and obsolete the other ones. Now, we have 15 different standards"
But this is exactly what is happened, just that every new one is ad-hoc, and on top of the olds. Every time a new api happened you create standard + 1 * N browsers.
Eventually, you increase ad infinitum the tech debt, or restart.
I think the cost of the whole web stack is high enough not only for the browser makers but EVERYONE ELSE. Is multiply JS (n-versions) + CSS(n-versions) + HTML(n-versions) * N Browser * N OS.
Now, what other rational option can be offered... push forward and keep doing the same and increase the tech debt? Not exist a way to refactor this?
I believe what will happen is what happens continuously with technology, a new layer of abstraction will evolve and thats it. Most devs want to use some abstraction layer (or build one themselves) and thats it. That's how computers work, just layers of abstractions stacked on top of each other. The underlying details, complexity but also power (eg features, security issues,..) only very few understand.
Eventually, you increase ad infinitum the tech debt, or restart.
I think the cost of the whole web stack is high enough not only for the browser makers but EVERYONE ELSE. Is multiply JS (n-versions) + CSS(n-versions) + HTML(n-versions) * N Browser * N OS.
Now, what other rational option can be offered... push forward and keep doing the same and increase the tech debt? Not exist a way to refactor this?