Also: Emacs user here, for more than a decade. My opinion: the defaults in Emacs are horrible. They were set in different times, on different computers, with different keyboards. They should get changed. I think most users agree with that. The problem is that whatever we would change the defaults to, it would estrange a part of the community. So nothing gets done. Advanced users don't see the point of struggling, since they already have everything rebound to the keys/menus/toolbars/etc. they want and need. New user see the need, but don't have the skills. It's really a Gordian-knot type of problem.
As an aside: similar thing goes on with Emacs' terminal support. It's obvious that maintaining compatibility with display technology from the '70s takes a real toll on both developers time, and improvements that would be possible if not for that compatibility. But then you get a huge crowd that uses Emacs via SSH somewhere, and they go rabid if you mention anything about dropping the terminal support.
Why defend somebody who's quite literally asking for it? Doesn't make sense.
Just some shmuck whose identity is all wrapped up in his text editor.
Kinda sad really.
The difference is I'm not a zealot.
You're not actually understanding what I've written, if this is your takeaway.