Being old doesn't mean anyone knows the language. I mean if the language predates C significantly and nobody uses is then there's probably a really good for it. The goalposts aren't moving they're just missing the shot

Popularity isn't a measure of quality. Never has been and certainly not in the case of programming languages.

There is unpopular - and then there is can I get a working toolchain for modern OS that’s not emulated.

Still not a measure of quality.

Are we having a discussion about the greatest language of all time? What’s your context here.