Why is Python popular, while Lisp and Scheme aren't?

[Pascal Costanza]

Alex Martelli wrote:

> Macros let you design a different language on top of whatever language
> you have (that supports full-power macros).  That's my major beef with
> them, and ultimately the reason I'm not in the Lisp or Dylan communities,
> as above noticed.  I don't WANT to use a language that lets me redesign
> it -- worse, I most definitely don't want to use a language that lets
> _others_ redesign it, and find myself stuck using and supporting half
> a dozen different (and mostly badly designed) languages in as many
> disparate projects.

How is using a badly designed language worse than using a badly designed 
API? Just don't use them!

But maybe I am missing something here?!? Could you elaborate more on that?


Pascal

-- 
Given any rule, however ‘fundamental’ or ‘necessary’ for science, there 
are always circumstances when it is advisable not only to ignore the 
rule, but to adopt its opposite. - Paul Feyerabend