installing arch is fun. and I mean specifically the kind of fun I had back in 2002 when I had a slackware ISO and nothing better to do with my time

I think the arch install guide may have been written by that guy who wrote the bomb defusal manual used on M*A*S*H.

"remove the tail assembly, and carefully cut the wires leading to the clockwork fuse at the head"
*next page*
"but first, remove the fuse"

installing old-style linux (LFS, slackware, arch) is like defusing a bomb.
it's very tense, the instructions are incomplete, and you know that if you fail... at least it's not your problem anymore

someone (maybe gravislizard?) once said that the problem with Linux is that it's for people who love computers.
as in, macOS and Windows are for people who want to get things done with their computers, but Linux is designed for people who love the computers themselves, and enjoy Doing Computer Things.

The computers are the point, they're not just the means to an end, they are the end in themselves.

but then I used arch

I think Arch may be a Linux for people who:
1. hate Computers, and
2. hate the idea of people using Computers.

I looked up how to get the package versions I need and the only result is a reddit post that suggests I check out 519 git repos and roll them back to the right revisions and then compile them all manually.

you know you can just tell people to fuck off on the internet, right? there aren't swear police around. you don't need to crouch your hatred in "pretty language" like "check out 519 git packages and roll them back and build them manually"