Balloon framing is worse-is-better (2021)
I recently built a largish shed in my back yard and although it's obviously far simpler than an actual house, it has many of the same core elements (including balloon framing), and it really struck me that someone like me could go from idea to a reasonably well done shed with only a little past experience plus some 
Googling. The traditional mortise-and-tenons approach would have far exceeded my time budget and probably been too far beyond my skill level.<p>The most eye opening bit of learning for me was also mentioned in the article:<p><i>"The skin of the building, which previously only served as a barrier to keep the elements out, now also braces the wood stud walls, increasing their load bearing capacity."</i><p>Prior to sheathing, the framing is downright rickety!