[deodar]

I recently switched to vscode after using vim for over 2 decades. Perhaps I am just getting older, however I now find that hitting 5j or 12k as in the article steals some cognitive bandwidth. I still use vim for looking at log files and quick edits e.g. to config files, and went mode-less for more free form editing like coding.

It may be slower and less efficient to hit the down key 5 times or alt+right a few times however it is also mindless and doesn't take any mental bandwidth. YMMV of course.

[SebastianKra]

Waiting for the visual feedback to tell you where the cursor is, also takes some bandwidth. For example, vscode has this awesome syntax-aware expand-selection feature, but it requires you to repeat the command multiple times and check the results between each press. When applicable, ci{ is better because, despite requiring more mental bandwidth, you know exactly what the result will be.

[jononomo]

Why would you hit `5j` when you could just hold `j` down for an extra tenth of a second and then just literally put your finger/cursor on any line you want?

[lambdaba]

I agree but staying in neovim and using search / or ?

IMO relative numbers for navigation are not the Vi way. The Vi way, is, as you say, mindless.

People who say you're not faster with Vim (untrue anyway) or it doesn't matter are also missing the point. The point of Vim is ergonomics, and not thinking, not speed. It's diminishing cognitive load. Sometimes I like to use Vim with the cursor turned off.