This is absolutely correct, and something that wonks and liberals needed to learn 2 decades ago, or sooner. Explaining facts and reality is not a convincing mode of rhetoric. Accepting Glonzo is convincing, but corrosive.
I don't have a great answer and there probably isn't a universal answer now.
Because I'm maximizing the yak-shaving, I rejected YAML or JSON or TOML. I'm doing this, so I can properly organize, scope, and prioritize my other projects. Gotta work from firm foundations, or so I tell myself as I add this to the project heap.