Mostly agree with the article but cringed a bit when I read this:

> This subtlety led to more than one case where I didn't understand why a component didn't update. ... In the end I found it was difficult to determine reliably when to reach for the $ label. I'd use it in one scenario and it seemed to work like I expect, then throw it at another scenario and it didn't work like I expect.

OK, that's like you're used to using an old donkey for transport and then someone hands you a brand new car and you start complaining about it not having seat heaters.

The $-based reactiveness of Svelte is great! Just don't expect that every possible side case is covered 100%. Same as with just about any other technology.