The paradox is that IMO the simplest way forward is to use the most modern tools. The modern tools and languages are generally there to make things easier. The trouble is that you need to learn those tools and languages before you can get to do it the easy way.

For example, I really can't afford to program with any JavaScript language except ES2015 - I just don't have time to try to understand all the weird idiosyncrasies and underpowered crap that is older versions of JavaScript - I need to work with "JavaScript that makes sense" i.e. ES2015. But to do that I need to be able to wrap my head around - and fight all the myriad problems with - getting my ES2015 to compile using the webpack babel toolchain.

It's a strange thing about programming that to understand the easiest way to do it you need to have a higher order understanding of the entire programming system that you are working with.