[drw85]

I think the reason to use and teach those keys first, is that they can be used in all the motions aswell. The arrow keys can´t and thus do not really make much sense in a vi context.

[JdeBP]

The arrow keys can be used as motions for operators in VIM. Try them. This is also true for nvi.

[drw85]

Ah, that's interesting, i had no idea. Thanks. :D