Why the natural numbers begin with 1

We first learn to count beginning with 1.

is self-counting
Addition in

can be defined purely in terms of the successor function
The additive identity is not a direct result of the successor function.
Zero is not a primitive concept
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_semantic_metalanguage
Some proofs are marginally simpler because no consideration of the spacial case of
0
is required.
The integers are expressible using only ordered pairs of natural numbers.

forms a domain of positivity for

and for addition has a symmetric reflection
The commutative, associative and cancellative laws of addition can be derived in

.
The principle of induction can be established in

The principle of recursion can be established in

The commutative, associative and cancellative laws of multiplication can be established in

without exception.
The well-ordering of

can be established.
Zero arises naturally when extending

to
.
The domains of positivity


,


,


can all be constructed without introducing
0
.
Segments

n
such that
Size[

n
]=n
begin with the non-successor
1
.
Pointing at the first number of the most primitive set of numbers and uttering the word zero is silly.