[s_y_n_t_a_x]

I come from Lua so I'm used to declaring local variables with "local".

Also, I like knowing which variables won't be reassigned (const), and which will (let).

[shakna]

Whilst I do find it irritating, I don't mind about the scope default so much, but I've certainly run into it (forgetting to specify) a lot.

Mostly because JS is not the only language that I'll be working with at a time, and if I'm dancing between three or four and they have similar syntax, then mistakes creep in.