My favorite hypothesis here is that programming language enthusiasts are too different. They are incapable of convincing the average programmer of the merits of their favorite language, because their way of thinking is different. Arguments they find convincing are not convincing to the average programmer.
Progress happens incrementally with small steps. Existing languages get new features. New languages get popular, because they look familiar but contain some small meaningful improvements. And familiarity is important. Languages like OCaml never become popular, because they are too different. Even the syntax looks unfamiliar.
Progress happens incrementally with small steps. Existing languages get new features. New languages get popular, because they look familiar but contain some small meaningful improvements. And familiarity is important. Languages like OCaml never become popular, because they are too different. Even the syntax looks unfamiliar.