[cturner]

Could it be a strange mindset of our time that we look to language ecosystems to provide this? What if we could manage dependencies without being locked into language?

Conda goes some way. Think of something like virtualenv, but not specific to python. I would be happier with something that had fewer features than conda, but where critical features were easier. Example: setting up a package server should be trivial.

I think we do not yet have the git of dependency systems, with the gravity to draw in the community and for people to regard it a solved problem. Maybe the most efficient route would be: find a way to get Linus pissed off about it.

[hikarudo]

How about Nix, could it be the 'virtualenv, but not specific to python' you mentioned? I've never used it, but from what I understand that would be an appropriate description of Nix.