I'm 100% with you, an email is all it usually takes, but most people don't realize that. When your life and blood depends on competing with the people you work with, it's very simple to say "no."
But when you're just getting a start and think that "this contract is life or death"? It's a non-starter, you would never think of negotiating it.
It makes more sense for them to simply be illegal than negotiable for that very reason.
Huh...I actually did this when I got out of a developer bootcamp in 2014/2015. I come from a family of lawyers; redlining a contract is second nature. Data point of one, but I think it's more a cultural norm - there's a strong norm in American society, in particular, against negotiating. Funny how well that works out for the people who control the capital and don't have any issues ignoring that norm. They should be illegal, but more people should start more conversations with a negotiating mindset as well.
But when you're just getting a start and think that "this contract is life or death"? It's a non-starter, you would never think of negotiating it.
It makes more sense for them to simply be illegal than negotiable for that very reason.