[xpe]

> Likewise, I'll put off learning new things until I actually have a need for the solution they offer. At least then, even if they die out in a few years, I'd have at least solved my immediate problems.

Your choice of language: saying 'need' suggests a black and white decision. See what I mean?

Costs and benefits often cannot be estimated accurately 'in one go'. It is common to spend some time and money to increase understanding and thus reduce uncertainty.

What deterministic build systems have you used? If you have not, how confident should you be that you can accurately assess their costs and benefits?

PS. Your comments suggest to me that, like most people with experience, you have become overconfident. To disabuse yourself of this, I suggest you find a prediction market and make some bets. You'll find you have to make your claims testable. Make a specific prediction/bet on Nix and let's see what happens. Let us know how it goes.