"some typedefs are OK because Linus is used to them, but he doesn't want to take the few seconds to figure out any new ones."

NO

Because the wrong uses are more numerous than the right ones. It's that simple

Creating typedefs for integers is mostly useless and causes confusion, except in the cases specified.

Of course, if you work with a small project it's easier than with a big project like the kernel.

And of course I admire Linus for cutting through BS and usually avoiding it.