[hello_computer]

Read it again:

"THE PYTHON VERSION had less code that ran faster and was far easier to read and maintain."

[ungamedplayer]

That's actually really direct. It appears as though they had python rewrite had more familiarity with the programmers so they had an easier time writing it.

I come from the opposite side and find python syntax and style stifling.

[hello_computer]

Instead of an ordinary blub like python, they should have doubled-down, went full-retard, and used PHP. For web work in those days, it probably would have been even faster... even easier to read and maintain.