This thread only underscores the total mindshare dominance of ORMs. The implicit alternative to ORMs in almost every comment is raw sql in string literals in app code.

For 6 years now, we've had tools that let you use sql as a language, then generate the wrapper exposing your query to your app as a method. (queryfirst, pgtyped, pugsql, sqlc) This is (or could be) a paradigm shift. It's clearly, demonstrably a superior way of working, but it exists on the fringes because ORMs (and this unchanging discussion) have sucked all the oxygen.