vue.js

https://vuejs.org/

Edit: I used NG1 a lot and liked it. But after trying NG2 I felt it to be really too complex for small to medium projects. Vue.js is what I hoped NG2 to become.

If an alternative is not named, does that change the value of the opinion in any way?

I was just wondering what the author had in mind. But now that you ask, yes I think it does. Without a suggestion the opinion is pretty much worthless.

You really think we shouldn't criticize things if better alternatives don't currently exist? The fact that someone hasn't come up with a better approach doesn't imply that the status quo is the best possible solution.

Absolutely.

Here's an example: Human mortality sucks. However, since there is no alternative, complaining about it is an exercise in futility.

polymerjs is a great alternative.

Javascript?

ie for any mildly complex app, [re]implement a framework rather than using an existing framework that is battle-tested to a far higher degree than is possible if you roll it yourself?

So Angular is not made with Javascript then? Do you not write Javascript when you use it?

That's a bit like saying that the alternative to a roof is shingles.