I've been using React for a year and a half, and it's probably the first thing in the JavaScript ecosystem for a long time (maybe since jQuery) that hasn't made me regret building a project using it.
It's not without its issues, but it's really changed the way I build things, which after 18 years is kind of impressive.
Show me a tool out there that already does this in react. Besides relay, which isn't released, I don't know of one. Defining data in your component is a new concept to the entire javascript and web development world. I view this more as innovative than jumping on a bandwagon.
I'm not sure that grabbing yourself a slice of the hype-pie is necessarily a bad thing. Learning is good for the soul, right?
I do get your point, if you had one. It does feel like there's a must-have new shiny thing to prod every other day. However, React seems to be even shinier than others as of late -- I know this because I even read the documentation and played with the tutorial! I do admit that I can't really come to any solid conclusions about how shiny React realistically is because I'm not much of a sample size.
I do find the React docs to be excellent though which means I'm more likely to keep playing with it. Nothing turns me off faster than awful documentation.
Before I jump to conclusions, can I ask what your experience level with React is like?
I think a lot of people make snap responses to the subject of new developments in the JS world because they see a lot of change happening, do not trust any of it, but also haven't bothered to further their education on the subject.
I'm curious to hear comments from those who are very knowledgable on React but also view it as a bandwagon.