you could do it automatically by assuming that some
    attribute like `data-bind` corresponds to a binding

Yes, that could be done. That would mean to extend Simulacra. Or do it outside of it.

To me personally, <div>{{NAME}}</div> is easier to read and reason about. Also, it enables you to do stuff like

    <div>{{CITY}} has {{POPULATION}} residents</div> 

Which is much shorter then

    <div><span data-bind="city"></span> has <span data-bind="population"></span> residents</div>

You can also do other useful stuff. For example:

    <div class="{{STATUS}}">{{MACHINE}}</div>

And then style different statuses via CSS.