There are other options as well, like remapping the Enter key to act as Ctrl when chorded or using sticky modifiers. I think using an ergonomic keyboard with two large Ctrl keys on both sides of the keyboard is probably the best solution. I've discussed some of these alternatives in more detail <https://susam.github.io/devil/#why>.
By the way, there are some vendors that still make Unix layout keyboards with the Ctrl key positioned where Caps Lock key usually is: <https://deskthority.net/wiki/Category:Keyboards_with_Unix_la...>.
It works really well, and makes emacs much more comfortable to type in.
Downside is this keeps me locked to X11 and fighting the occasional app that reads the key codes directly.
Tangentially, I really loathe how Wayland has no alternative to this. I'm expected to configure keyboard layouts in every DE or WM I use, which is a much worse UX.
[1]: https://vincent.bernat.ch/en/extending-xkb#attaching-symbols...
They also at some point joined the PC world in moving the nubs on their keyboard from "d" and "k", where you were more likely to notice if your fingers are not in their proper place on the home row. Now if your right hand is offset slightly to the right, you won't feel anything, which is less immediately noticeable than if the nub were under the wrong finger.
Caps lock was rightfully relegated to bottom left.
That's indeed true! But the premise of this question explores the scenario: What if we did rewrite Emacs from scratch?