The book apparently said that Python 3 sucks, that people shouldn't learn it, and that "if someone tells you to use Python 3, tell them you'll use it when all their code is in Python 3", which is just absurd. It was very harmful, because Python 3 is definitely where the community is, and 2's days are numbered.
That part may have been true back when it was written, but it's definitely not true today, and all it does is fan the flames of discord.
It's all good. We all agree to program with Python 3 and educate beginners on Python 3.
Just forget the past and move on - Zed is on the Python 3 boat now and that's all that matters.
Indeed it makes a great deal of sense to not just end the conflict but go the other way - the Python community should simply ignore the past and do everything it can to welcome and include and bring Zed into the Python 3 community, to the extent that he wants that.
And even this one, when Zed Shaw is talking peace and bridge building, he still echoes the position that Python core developers are of low character. His retelling of history is ungenerous. How do you extend an olive branch like that?
I've recommended LPTHW to several new programmers, including one who I think bought the videos and really liked it.
Nonetheless, his strange dislike for python3 and continuing this flame war is not helping anyone, least of all Zed.
I'm amazed that people still don't read Zed Shaw objectively in 2017. Zed is not a friend of any community except his own, including appeals to violence, and he has repeatedly shown that. I think it's extremely important to keep in mind the person being dealt with here and his history, because he absolutely does create toxic drama within communities (including in this thread, right now).
[0]: http://harmful.cat-v.org/software/ruby/rails/is-a-ghetto
Maybe Zed burns himself over Python3. Maybe not. It doesn't really matter because he's gonna keep doing what he does, both good and bad. He's as human as the rest of us.
Definitely not. https://zedshaw.com/2016/11/24/the-end-of-coder-influence/
He writes condescending articles that confuse and mislead newcomers to the language. From his redaction:
> In the previous version I trolled people by pointing out that, if what the Python project says is true and it would have been "impossible" to support Python 2, then they broke it and Python 3 is not turing complete. Obviously Python 3 is turing complete, but Python project members frequently claim something this basic is "impossible" soooooooooooo alright. I even had a note after the gag saying it was a gag, but everyone is too stupid to read that note even when they do elaborate responses to my writing.
Check out the past HN discussion on his article, "The Case Against Python 3": https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=13019819