The main idea behind the pipeline operator isn't necessarily to shorten the code but to make it clearer and more maintainable, especially when we're dealing with a bunch of operations. But you're right, it's crucial to use it wisely and not just for the sake of it. On readability, it's really a matter of personal preference. Some folks find the pipeline operator more intuitive, especially those who are into functional programming. Kind of aligns with the way we'd describe the process out loud, like 'take this, then do that, followed by this.' But I can see how the more traditional approach might feel more straightforward to others.
As for the performance aspect, it's a valid concern. Generally, the performance difference between these styles is minimal for most use cases. The decision should ideally lean more towards how clear and maintainable the code is, rather than just on performance metrics, unless it's a critical part of the application.
It really come down to being just another tool in our toolbox. It's great for certain scenarios but not a one-size-fits-all solution.