it's just how old people talk. Rob Pike speaks of syntax colouring in the same way - he quotes the Bible.

I don't see it as condescension though. I think it's just a way of speaking.

I know plenty of "old people" who don't talk like this. In fact, the "old people" that I respect tend to be a lot more open-minded.

It's one thing to joke about it a little, but this is just arrogance on display with obvious derision for us children who find that traditional syntax highlighting is beneficial.

I recall reading once that Vim tabs were a crutch for people who "can't remember what they're working on". It's the same kind of arrogance and presumptiveness.