>I think if you could easily install and use emacs to edit a text file with no knowledge it's userbase would grow exponentially overnight.

Why do you put such a value on growing the user base exponentially? Is that important? Or even desirable?

Emacs isn't a toaster or even a web browser. It has specific use cases that a very small number of people actually need. The really nice part about it is that it's extensible and endlessly modifiable.

Again, that's not something that most folks need.

You can. By default it boots up with a menu bar and toolbar, with familiar buttons to open and save files. Most keys do exactly what you expect.

This does not affect the size of the userbase much. If your needs are that simple, just stick to any basic editor you're already familiar with.