That's just - for example - every point in 100×100 R^2 cartesian grid. 10k elements is not by any measure a 'large number of elements'.

Just pick your algorithmic use case for a good excuse to use list and not an array from here:

http://bigocheatsheet.com

When you first write design your program, you might indeed use a different data structure than a linked list when you anticipate 10k+ elements.

But often programs are used long after they are designed, and it is great if they can degrade gracefully as you move outside their original design parameters.

I couldn't hold them in my cupped palms.