Also, I wanted to add that since Minecraft exists, building farms and exploiting mechanics has been a core part. A mob dropper was one of the first things I've built, basically giving me vast amounts of XP, bone meal and arrows. Automating resource generation is part of Minecraft.

It is definitely super strong and kinda puts you into a semi-creative state. However, personally, I wouldn't enjoy Minecraft as much as I do if I we'd go back to the old system, with no villager trading, no mending, etc. since that'd turn Minecraft back into an endless grind. I enjoy the current way since it basically just gives you more opportunities and ability to bring your ideas come to life.

I wish that villagers were never implemented on first place. If all development time poured into villagers was spent in other gameplay systems, the game would be considerably better.

But it seems to me that Mojang has a tendency to implement RPG features in Minecraft, without good reasons to do so. XP and levels were like this, too. And RPGs have NPCs trading with you, so Minecraft "gotta have NPCs", no further reason.

Why did people think this was a good idea?

Because they were outright useless before trading.

Im a bit late, but there is a neat modpack that is designed to rebalance the game around the early to midgame. It nerfs villagers, changes how mending works, disables iron farms, buffs minecarts, and has several other rebalances. Musketeer Modpack

The changes I want for villagers are

• No healing (or healing gives a temporary status similar to Hero of the village. No permanent price reduction)
• No diamond tools
• Nerf iron deals
• For librarians, remove some enchantments from their loot table and put them in structures (Mending in End cities, Protection IV in Ancient Cities, Unbreaking in Bastions)