[graemep]

IronPython? The problem with that is compatibility with, and easy access to, existing libraries which is the main reason to use Python in the first place.

I also think some of the criticisms in the GP comment are not accurate. most of the valuable libraries are native compiled? Some important ones are, but not all.

I think a lot of the problem is that Python's usage has changed. Its great for a wide range of uses (scripting, web apps and other server stuff, even GUIs) but its really not a great match for scientific computing and the like but has become widely used there because it is easy to learn (and has lots of libraries for that now!).