[xgk]

   studies are bs because 

We should not let the perfect be the enemy of the good. The problem is that we do not currently know how to carry out studies on the efficacy of programming language paradigms under "controlled laboratory conditions". It's known to be hard. Feel free to change this and become famous! The studies discussed in the article are but first steps towards:

- a better empirical grounding of programming language & software engineering research;

- more emphasis on reproducibility in science.

I'm glad that Vitek, Berger et al are starting serious empirical PL/SE research, and care about reproducibility! Bravo!