There are a couple decisions like this scattered throughout the language: all variables being global by default, the fact that you can't put choice branches in conditional branches, the way that lists are like five different things all rolled into one concept. If ink were a programming language, it would be a deeply frustrating one! But it's a narrative language, and these are extremely solid narrative choices. Global variables mean stories have interesting consequences; choice branches being disallowed in conditional branches means you can't just nest conditionals forever; lists are fine-tuned to simulate large amounts of world-state. It all makes sense, as long as you cut with the grain!