Though I agree with what you all explained with the big issues with NodeJS, you have to understand its not all of Javascript. Its only server side JS. The creators have clarified, for heavy CPU intensive services, go away from NodeJS. As far as frontend is concerned, AngularJS and React are just sugar candy for user interaction and structure.
Node filled the gap with an async network application in pure JS without the heaviness of Python or traditional languages.
It is a hack as in every day people are finding new ways to use NodeJS but I agree, there has to be best practices and less boilerplate (plus less silly npm packages for trivial JS tasks).
I won't call an MSO/Cable company news as boring. Why the American industry creates so much attention is due to the dominance of American Technology Sector and American media firms. The MSO sector has lot of potential for innovation with the rising sectors such as Home Automation, Gigabit fiber or to sum it up (Internet of Things). When it comes to technology, even Nokia the most respected handset brand of the pre-smartphone age, was acquired by Microsoft, an American firm. Unless Europe gets more flexible with its tech industry (like encouraging Kickstarter/Ycombinator type firms) they would never gather the focus like the US.
