I guess we have been using different platforms, so is the bubble of web development.
Just for your education, Python ML research, is just glue for GPGPU libraries written in C++, NVidia nowadays specifically targets their GPGPU designs to match C++ semantics, Apple, Google and Microsoft use C++ for their drivers, Metal shaders use C++, AAA game industry breathes C++, Fintech uses a mix of Java/.NET and C++, LLVM and GCC, the beloved FOSS compiler stacks are written in C++, AUTOSAR requires C++14, Arduino Sketch is actually C++,…
C++ might have a couple of flaws, not being mainstream is certainly not one of them.
Oh the humanity!
I weep for mankind and for the industry if this is where we have fallen.
Quick question: are you a Javascript programmer?
It is also an essential understanding for writing quality, performant code in any context--web development included, even frontend.