[cyrialize]

> Emacs gives you so many tools for interactive development and debugging that your first scenario should never happen, assuming you learn what's available and how to use it.

Haha, I first used Emacs without knowing how to use the interactive development and debugging tools. I learned how to use the tools after I kept on running into issues.

> you can always fire up a new Emacs process and do your highly experimental customization there if you don't feel confident in being able to keep track of what's happening and/or worried about breaking things.

This is a great idea! I'm going to do this from now on.

> Emacs is the only system available today that can really be described as an apex / convergence point of stability, extensibility and self-empowerment.

I absolutely agree. Using Emacs just feels so /cool/. The only time I've felt limited by Emacs has never really been Emacs' fault, it was either I didn't know enough elisp or it was due to some other program or process not interacting nicely with Emacs (which could be fixed if I knew more elisp).