[slovenlyrobot]

I mistakenly thought you wanted clarity on my reasoning, instead it seems I've been made a fool of by providing an opportunity for you to argue a position I already understood and couldn't care less about. It's funny, this is also pretty much the reason I stopped relying on Python.

You're welcome to absorb all the externalized costs your heart desires, but in future please consider reviewing HN's rules before bandying attacks like "smug" and "superior".

[joshuamorton]

Understanding ones views doesn't imply agreeing with them. A tool is only useful if, well, it's useful. A slow C++ is less useful than a fast one. So how is it that you can claim so strongly that the value from backwards compatibility is greater than the value from speed by default?

Bluntly, if I could break the ABI to get a 10% speed boost across the board, is that not worth it?

And I'm well aware of the site guidelines. I certainly don't think asking someone to tone down the holier-than-thou in their comments is a violation of them. Just the opposite, it's encouraged. So I'll continue to ask that you do so if you choose to respond.