> never go lower level than the browser

So maybe "close to the DOM" rather than "close to the metal"? :-)

On the other hand, if you ever want a project to get you out of your comfort-zone(/rut?) - check this out:

https://www.espruino.com/

You _can_ go "bare metal" and still use your hard won javascript skills...

> I started my computing career in 1986 knowing only React

That's a big gap in your memory between 1986 and when React was first released in 2013. Or _maybe_ 2010 or 2011 if you were working inside Facebook back before they released it publicly...