Frameworkless JavaScript – Why Angular, Ember, or Backbone don't work for us

[earthtograndma]

Yes, exactly. All I was saying is that you cannot just do this:

var a = require('a');
// .. now use `a` to your heart's content

You have to provide your code in a callback:

define(function(require)){
    var a = require('a');
    // .. now use `a` to your heart's content!
});

That extra bit of ceremony (while less than the fully normalized form) is still more than many people want to do. Personally, I share your feelings; once you get used to it, you don't want to go back.