[samiskin]

This all makes sense given "for the contexts I care about (small web applications largely written by solo devs)". Unfortunately for you most software (and therefore what most developers work with) isn't for those contexts, but rather for larger projects written by multiple devs, where being lower level and compiled (runtime speed) and having static typing (more explicit and easily understood by other devs) become much more valued.

You'll probably always be in the minority with your preferences because of this.

[jaredcwhite]

I love being in the minority with my preferences…have for most of my life.