The high number of the external dependencies that have to be used just to get basic projects off the ground don't help either.
Well said. And often buggy or rapidly changing (or both) dependencies too - because the authors are keen on showing they are keeping up with the Joneses (er, times) and so their project is the latest and greatest - never mind if stuff doesn't work, the next version will be even more awesome!!! [1]
[1] (Frequent use of) exclamation marks is obligatory or you're not a (team) player, go home. /s
/s
Unlike the rushed, tense way in which some (many?) projects are conducted these days (and plenty earlier too), with people playing whack-a-mole with bugs introduced by said rush, "because we have to ship last week".