1. You can write great applications without the latest language features 2. The latest language features do make development easier
Babel is necessary for #2 if you don't have control over the browser which your users use to access your site. If you don't want to transpile, don't. It's as simple as that. However, the future of JS is the future of web development, that is indisputable. Using Babel allows you to stay closer to the future and/or use these great new language features.
You also brought up TypeScript.
3. Types make development much easier
TypeScript is a combination of types and a transpiler for the ability to use the latest ES features. Types are great, providing:
- Better self-documenting code - More safety - IDE interop to provide completion, as seen in VS Code
> note: I expect serious down votes as opposing Babel is almost a serious crime nowadays and proves my unlimited stupidity.
From the HN Guidelines: "Please don't bait other users by inviting them to downvote you or proclaim that you expect to get downvoted."
> Maybe soon I will be forced to write in MS Typescript if I want to be taken seriously.
Many would say that someone should be forced to write in a typed language in general in order to be taken seriously.
