I would prefer if there were very few un-namespaced functions which are limited to those I'm likely to use on any given line of code, and an intuitive namespace hierarchy for everything else. Basically, I think the core functions should be similar to reserved syntax is in other languages: a limited set of things that form the structure of most code, with more specific stuff imported from elsewhere. Note I'm not saying that the clojure way is "wrong", just that this[0] is a daunting set of information to be expected to "know by heart".
[0]: https://clojure.github.io/clojure/clojure.core-api.html
Would you prefer if there wasn't such a function to make it easier? You lose nothing if there isn't (or you don't know about it) and gain if there is. Why is this a barrier to entry?