Is this not a variant of the Worse is Better argument (or did I not properly understand that essay...... probably).

The issue with many JSON people is that they don't seem to acknowledge the need for interoperability with XML so the utility of a "bilingual language" probably doesn't resonate.

Without wishing to appear informed can I ask a question.

Was the Crockfordesque faction represented in the composition of the WG or was it (of necessity) a bunch of XML people talking about how to support JSON?