Why don't more developers “use the platform”?

In his recent article, Nolan Lawson explores the persistent trend of developers favoring heavy abstractions and third-party frameworks over native web platform capabilities. Lawson argues that while modern frameworks like React or Vue offer convenience, they often introduce unnecessary complexity, bloat, and maintenance overhead. He highlights that the web platform has evolved significantly, now offering robust, built-in solutions for tasks that previously required external libraries. The author suggests that by leaning into native APIs—such as custom elements, shadow DOM, and native form handling—developers can build faster, more resilient applications with smaller footprints. Lawson acknowledges the learning curve associated with mastering raw platform features but emphasizes that the long-term benefits of reduced dependency chains and improved performance outweigh the initial effort. Ultimately, he encourages the developer community to reconsider the 'framework-first' mindset in favor of a more platform-centric approach to modern web development.