> language allows casting pointers to integers

The original thread was about converting int to be an arbitrary precision type: "so that 'int' can become a true integer". One would imagine that, to preserve the ability to do pointer <-> non-pointer number, they would just leave uintptr alone, and so basically ignore your concerns, whereas int as the "native type" for slice indexes and the like is a more likely reason to prevent messing with "int" itself

Okay, that's the source of the confusion. I was not replying to that sentiment, which is a nuanced discussion on what an int should be. I was replying to the_clarence's categorical dismissal of variable width integer types.