I Can’t Believe It’s Not JavaScript
summary
Argues that many UI patterns can ditch JS by using modern Web APIs: a theme switcher implemented with CSS :has and root variables, accordions using the details element (built‑in aria/expanded support), modals via the popover attribute (supported in 2025, autofocus and blur built in), and scroll/scroll‑driven animations using animation-timeline / view‑timeline and experimental csize:auto + starting-style. Cites dependency risk (left‑pad) and a 98.9% JS usage stat, demos work live but some features remain experimental.
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chapters (11)
- 0:00Introduction
- 1:05Why JavaScript was created
- 3:53Dependency hell explained
- 7:46JavaScript’s original role
- 8:28Demo: Theme switcher
- 13:27Demo: Accordion with HTML
- 19:26Accessibility benefits of semantic HTML
- 21:32Auto-height animations in CSS
- 25:04Demo: Modal with popover
- 32:46Demo: Scroll animations
- 36:37Resources and conclusion
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