The dichotomy comes from conflating the TeX syntax with tex macro system, both use backslash.

The backslash based syntax allows for some really powerful typesetting which is far above anything that exists today. At the same time, the use of backslash-based langauge right to the bottom in terms of macros is what is causing the frustration.

Typst kind of solves that by having backslash based syntax implemented in Rust.