Why Vim, an '80s Text Editor, Is Still the UI of Choice for Power Users

I use vim. I think there are a few reasons for me. And these are not the best rationalizations I could think of but rather the the actual causes.

One is that since its a text mode editor it is easy to use in an ssh session. So I don't have to set up sshfs or something.

Two is that it seems less complicated than emacs but is still credited with being a 'real' programmer's editor. And I know it has support for almost every language.

The biggest thing is something like network effects or social dynamics. Hardcore Unix programmers use 'real' text editors and nobody wants them to have one over on them. And its nice to feel like your are part of an 'elite' club of 80s power text editor users.

The 80s era text editors are not the best text editors, realistically. And I will go ahead and admit that I use the arrow keys in vim

I use vim, I don't have to think of different key bindings. I can program for any language consistently, if I was not using vim, it would be emacs. Nothing more, I've used vim for 20 years and my IDE is Unix. With vim, plugins, unix commands, scripts, i have every functionality that any so called modern IDE provides.

"choice for power users" is quite the claim, i dont buy it. its a choice, not THE choice.

Just yesterday I found a haskellcast where the host mentioned IDEs, but said he still uses vi personally. A tiny timeless comment on text editors ensues.

https://youtu.be/4YfkwfZ7AV4?t=1521

i just came to say, emacs is number 1