I fit into this category so I might be able to explain. I'd like to learn emacs and build my perfect config for my WM and so on, but on top of that theres a long list of other stuff I want to do and build and learn. My time is finite and with all the other demands of life, my energy even moreso, so naturally I have to make sacrifices.

That doesn't sound like you "hate that", more like you're making a time management choice. I'd challenge it, as I find time spent on creating a good developmemnt environment pays off very well in overall productivity terms, up to a point, but it's your choice to make. Emacs certainly isnt for everyone, even among those that enjoy tinkering.

Life is full of decision points. It is very understandable to use your decision budget on things that matter, like your projects or your job or your money, than things that don't like an editor config. Over my decades of emacs use I've had periods of crazy tinkering and conversely years of doing nothing.

Completely agree. At the same time, I'd wager a good chunk of developers isn't really in it for a love of computers and tinkering. Not a bad thing per se, just my observation.