> "Most of us are only using JavaScript because that's the only way to build browser applications (or compile-to-JS languages, which still require an understanding of JS or you'll run into problems)."
The javascript apocalypse is inevitable, we're just yet to reach the tipping point where this hard-requirement to use JS for web/browser applications is no longer there.
And does gmail not work well for you?
Most of us are only using JavaScript because that's the only way to build browser applications (or compile-to-JS languages, which still require an understanding of JS or you'll run into problems).
In any case, I don't particularly like JS, so your dig fell short. But JS is necessary for many of us.