I think this is dumb. I like the idea of everything using USB-C, but in reality I have found USB-C cables to be unreliable (with power and with data) when used

I think this is dumb. I like the idea of everything using USB-C, but in reality I have found USB-C cables to be unreliable (with power and with data) when used with a device other than the one it came with. You could go on and on about power ratings and spec adherence, but I have never had such issues with Lightning cables.