> This is all true, but it's also very one-sided. It makes macros look like a universal solution to all abstraction problems and without any downsides at that.

They are a universal solution to the problem of abstractions: they let you use fewer abstractions!

> I also didn't read the GP comment as dismissive, it seems a bit pedantic at worst.

I can see that. I wasn't being very charitable with my choice of words. Apologies to GP.