[azakai]

Well yes, but the same is true of any minified JavaScript, handwritten or compiled. For example look at the output of the closure compiler minifier.

[jerf]

Minified Javascript does not operate on an enormous buffer of bytes, such that you get seven and eight digit numbers flying everywhere. It's still easier to understand and manipulate than ASM.

asm.js isn't just an evocative name, it's a reasonable description... it's assembly in Javascript.