I see a big problems with using org-mode format with other editors than emacs, and that's why I use smth like simplified-YAML instead for notes: it doesn't lend itself well to indent-based folding (popular out-of-the-box feature in like all modern editors: Sublime, VSCode etc.).

Like, if I write

    Heading 1:
      Heading 10:
        ...
      Heading 11:
        Heading 110:
          ...
        Heading 111:
          ...

I can easily navigate a huge tree by using code folding to hide subsections. If heading levels are instead given by number of leading `*`s, then the editor really needs to be aware of the language.

(Also, backtricks are really easy to type, I see no reason to replace them with other weird characters.)