> If we're talking about Node.js, there's a long list of dependencies by default.

But that's not true? I initialize a project locally, there is zero dependencies by default, and like I did five years ago, I can still build backend/frontend projects with minimal set of dependencies.

What changed is what people are willing/OK with doing. Yes, it'll require more effort, obviously, but if you want things to be built properly, it usually takes more effort.

Perhaps, the right wording here might be that Node.js encourages the use of npm packages even for simple tasks.

I agree that in any case, it's the courage/discipline that comes before the language choice when creating low-dependency applications.