For the same reason graphical programming languages are still unpoular, and the command line still rules: inputting normalized tags is many orders of magnitude

For the same reason graphical programming languages are still unpoular, and the command line still rules: inputting normalized tags is many orders of magnitude harder than typing free text. Even on an adaptive touch interface. Even with tag completion. Even with a template to fill in. And when you do manage to input some well formed AST for your todo list, you're on an island by yourself, because everyone else is using free text (or their own, different tags or syntax). Because even if you have the same structure, you also need to use the same tags! What language are they supposed to be in?! They might as well be unique numbers unless you speak that language. It's facepalms all the way down.