I started using Ctrl-C instead of Escape in Vim years ago (long before the Touchbar) as it means I don't have to move my hands from the home position.
1. it cancels any modifiers on the insert command
2. it won't trigger any abbreviations
3. it doesn't work with visual-block insert
4. it bypasses InsertLeave autocommands
Counterpoint: modal editing is a poor substitute for several reasons ;)