I havent used syntax highlighting in 8 years or so (global-font-lock-mode 0)

highly recommend it, if you could try.

for example this code[1]:

    // the code will run twice
    bool panic  = true
    while (true) {
        panic = !panic;
        if (panic) break;
    }

I can argue is easier to read without highlighting.

I think colors break the flow of code in unintended ways, and mistreat comments (either overvalue with some pink color or undervalue with some toned down gray), and almost all themes make keywords extremely important.

[1] https://github.com/jackdoe/programming-for-kids/issues/3#iss...