I'm generally favorable to giving up syntax coloring. I do agree with the OP that it distracts without adding much benefit. I want to recognize the intent, over

I'm generally favorable to giving up syntax coloring. I do agree with the OP that it distracts without adding much benefit. I want to recognize the intent, over the syntax. I do usually program in Lisp/Scheme/Racket, which are syntactically simple though, and use Solarized which is lower contrast than some. So both the distraction and benefits are less. I guess the main benefit I feel I'm getting now is string highlighting and comment dimming. Parens stand out to my brain anyway so I don't think I am benefitting from their being colorized.