> C only became standardized after 20 years or so, and only out of necessity because there were different compiler toolchains moving into different directions and this ensuing chaos had to be brought under control somehow.

The "after 20 years" remark is totally irrelevant because just because the C community was extremely slow it doesn't mean everyone is supposed to repeat the same mistakes.

The only relevant point in your remark is that a standard is required when there are at least two implementations that need to interoperate. That's the only relevant point. A standard is the only way to ensure that interop is possible, and that implementations are reliable.