Yeah, specifically unsafe handling of it. Forkexec seems to be a heavyweight (and less portable) approach that even DJB defended in his paper. My gripe should apply to any using threads.

"Event loops seem to have been the norm for C projects for a while."

I'll take you word for it as I've seen that in the few, top-tier ones I scrutinized. There's a similar trail of research dealing with that alternate model. Have a feeling the meme might apply there, too, but won't accuse them until I see for sure. ;)