There are better separators included in ASCII, but not used as often: 28 File Separator, 29 Group Separator, 30 Record Separator and 31 Unit Separator.
I'm planning to do something similar, but using addressable RGB LEDs (like WS2811, also known as neopixel).
They are simple to work with. Each LED has 4 connections: GND, +5V, DATA IN and DATA OUT. Each LED grabs the first 24 bits of the data stream (8 bits for Red, Green and Blue) and sends the rest on DATA OUT for the next LED.
I wish my annoying neighbor would get this, because then I can post the code online and have the whole world knocking on his door at all hours of the day.
The phantom power at 48 volts used with XLR connectors only have a current at about 10 milliampere. Enough to supply power to a little microphone.
The connector is bulky and of metal, and designed to be used inside. It's also expensive compared to other connectors.
There are a lot of cheaper, more suitable connectors, designed to carry power.
Depending on the country you live in, the laws might allow you to do work on equipment that is below 50 volts, but require you to be a certified electrician for anything above that.
> appending things to arrays etc can't be done elegantly
Are you referring to the possibility to point to the end of the array? If so, a single minus sign might solve it: "/path/to/the/array/-"
RFC 6901 JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) Pointer
> exactly the single character "-", making the new referenced value the (nonexistent) member after the last array element
All vehicles that can be steered have that possibility, even cars: If there is a steering wheel, it is possible to deliberately crash the vehicle. If it is possible to shut down engines, it can also be used for malicious purposes. In other words, there is always the possibility of using everything for malicious purposes.
On the other hand, the ability to shut down a system that has failed can save everyone on board.
There are approximately 40,000,000 flights each year. Almost all occur without incident. In the entire 120-year history of aviation, only a few accidents have resulted from the pilot intentionally crashing the plane.