[worksonmine]

> creating a file is of little use in a file viewer

I'm not sure the first programs could handle more than one, and (neo)vi(m) just uses :e, for edit. New or existing is irrelevant, it's not Microsoft Word.

> is [p]age up old enough

Is this a real thing? I only know of [f]orward/[b]ack and [d]own/[u]p.

> are they more important than basic navigation

Don't put words in my mouth, but sure in insert mode you're not supposed to navigate, but this discussion is getting off-topic.