CSS bloat is there also, perhaps not as big a deal. I think that complexity is the main enemy (both JS and CSS and React and npm …) or over on the WordPress plugin morass. I like that the OP is aiming for a simpler world, kind of like the HTMX and Pico CSS ideas that I currently prefer.
52K of CSS should be an opportunity for optimization but you're right, we're so far gone on javascript we should really focus on the mountains before the molehills.
Tree shaking and bloat are different concerns. And, technically, is tailwind tree shaking? I thought they only built styles that the compiler could find being used rather than removing styles the compiler couldn't find being used.
Tree shaking is actually a sign of bloat. It is a tool on top of a bloated mess, to fix that mess. It would be better not to make a mess in the first place.
