I wasn't going to comment on [this>http://www.algorithm.com.au/mt/archives/programming_languages/pycore_vs_ironpython.html] because it was posted so long ago - but then I noticed it was from .au - so I feel I should stick up my hand and call this person out.

Where do you get off saying Isn't it great how Smalltalk can still compete well with today's modern VMs? .. Smalltalk is today's modern VM. A new release of it is made usually every six months keeping up with the latest in Linux developments, it's cross platform over so many OS's it's not funny and it runs like the clappers.

If by "modern" you mean "weighted down by a myriad of strange design decisions by Microsoft engineers" then I have to totally disagree with you. Oh and while I'm on the ranting subject, hotspot was made from a Smalltalk VM that Sun bought by Self and Smalltalk engineers. One of the major members of the Self, Hotspot and Mobile Hotspot VM teams recently made a [a new smalltalk>http://www.oovm.com].

As Terry Pratchett says, you need to open your eyes.. then open them again.