Kirby asks -

When teaching Python, do we begin with a treatment of low level representations of data? Or is that saved for a later time?

Good question. Truth of the matter is that I don't consider myself a beginner anymore, but I am lost even trying to follow your illustration. But I do have a top-level awareness of data structure issues, and that has been essential to understanding the environment. IMO top-side awareness is crucial. The details can follow. So your illustration to me would be more of a "for example watch what happens when" rather something that needed to be grasped in its full detail. ART