> what if there was a command that would produce ls output as a table data structure, run in a sort of terminal that knows how to format a table nicely without the ls command having to include any formatting instructions? this terminal would have support for all sorts of data types and structures to display all of them nicely.

So, powershell? For some reason only IT jockeys on Microsoft's death grip remember and use its full capability after learning it.

There are many problems with powershell, but to me the absolute worst, won't even touch it with a 10-feet pole, is UTF-16.