[forgotpwd16]

>Tell that to the users that don't know what ^ stands for

If you run `nano` it shows a message that you can get help using 'Ctrl-G'. In the second paragraph it tells you what '^' stands for. It will be a problem if you somehow ended in nano unintentionally. Even then someone can figure that it means either 'Alt' or 'Ctrl', that is the modifier keys.

>I just don't understand how this is possible, except if you're doing very basic edits (even in that case...)

Some people prefer or/and find easier to work with a modeless editor.