All the binary JSON schemes, like CBOR for example, are all about making encoding and decoding faster. So the world kinda wants this even if you don't.

Do I want protobufs replacing JSON? No. I want flatbufs augmenting JSON (and XML, and ...).

I maintain an ASN.1 compiler and run-time that supports transliteration of DER to JSON. This is possible because the syntax/schema language/IDL and the encoding rules are separable. This is how you get the best of both worlds. You can use optimized binary encoding rules for interchange but convert to/from JSON/XML/whatever as needed for inspection.

I actually don't think it'd be so bad.

Ideally it is capnproto instead of protobuf, but in general the same applies.

It is a _transport_ protocol. You can still write your config or data in any format you like.

you're not getting it. imagine if every single public website today using JSON switches to protobuf, you instantly lost most if not all ability to reverse those sites.

All these sites go through an evolution where they start out having open APIs, attracting third party developers, then eating their lunch and closing the APIs. No one in this sub-thread is saying that's desirable. But also nothing you can do can stop them from using something other than JSON.

You are assuming websites offer an end user api via json but that's just a side effect, an implementation detail.