The thing is that something like computing primes with template instantiations was always a little weird and came with problems around sensible build processes.

The thing is that something like computing primes with template instantiations was always a little weird and came with problems around sensible build processes. The rules were...well...complicated, but not that complicated. You had ADL rules that were weird, but basically, you could view a lot of the template hackery as a weird thing that you could understand without too much trouble, but probably didn't need to. That's much less true with most of the C++-11/14/17 features. C++ has always been complex, but I defy anyone to read "Effective Modern C++" from cover to cover without clutching their pearls in horror. Don't get me wrong, I actually like C++ in a weird way. There's nothing else out there that goes quite so far in putting you the programmer in charge while still attempting to let you work at a slightly higher level. But the price in cognitive load for this flexibility is just stupidly high.