the DF UI is a big "fuck you and fuck you again in yo face" design. this is coming from vim/emacs user (no probs with modality, long chords, etc). also coming from a user, who gladly enjoys text only games. But for DF a good UI is a necessity, or else it gets in your way. Your fun and productivity is obsctructed by the UI, most of gameplay is focused on navigating through UI, not playing.
my 2ct ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Also why I find Factorio so enjoyable - when you can zoom out and admire your creation acting for a while. If you zoom out in DF your eyes start to bleed.