When every major Node package depends on this, starting with Babel, then it actually does becomes something thats required.

There's no such thing as "don't use it if you don't like it!" in this case.

Javascript is a completely broken, shameful system that rightfully deserves all the scorn it's gotten. It really is the worst.

(note that i actually write Python & VanillaJS, and avoid Node packages entirely for now.)