Py3K idea: why not drop the colon?

[Ron Adam]

Steve Holden wrote:

> I'm always surprised by the amount of energy that's put into this type 
> of discussion - even the OP has suggested that this isn't a big issue. 
> If it's not a big issue why is this thread still going? Every language 
> has a syntax. Why not just accept it as a given and get on with more 
> productive activities?

It's because it's not an issue with an obviously (clear to everyone) good or bad 
answer.

     Obvious bad answer ->  short discussion

     Obvious good answer  ->  short discussion which spawns many long discussion 
about the not so obviously details.

   * Nearly a toss up -> really long discussion that rehashes things over and 
over from various micro points of view.

Even though it's pretty much known this won't change, people still want the 
clarity of an obvious answer even if an obvious solution doe not exist, so the 
thread continues.  And of course what is obvious or not isn't obvious to 
everyone, so that too is a long discussion. ;-)

But I think this thread has a second underlying attribute that appeals to the 
participants.  It isn't so much an effort to change anything as it is an effort 
to explore and understand why things where made the way they are.  To those who 
already know, this seems silly, but to those who are still learning, it seems 
important.

This could be broken down a bit more, but then we would get into long debates on 
the best non-obvious ways to do that. ;-)

Cheers,
    Ron