I think its google who also asks for Python experience next to Java experience because it shows you went ahead and learned something on your own that wasn't spoonfed to you in school.

And yeah, Spolsky did talk about the perils of Java schools here: http://www.joelonsoftware.com/articles/ThePerilsofJavaSchool... Great article!

Having a single guy work in X can be bad indeed, but if you want to try something new its much safer than switching entire departments overnight.