I'm sorry having dabbled in Ruby and having actively coded in Python and Lisp (Scheme, Clojure) you and the OP are laying the FUD on thick. I would argue Lisp has been able to stay relevant for so long <i>because</i> it's syntax assumes nothing about what domain you might be modeling. On the other hand, so little syntax means less "landmarks" and lot of programmers are put off by that.<p>Syntax <i>is</i> human and syntax <i>is</i> ergonomics. That's why languages with good syntax are so popular and deservedly so.<p>At the same time I think the number one reason languages eventually die off is because of syntax. A particular syntax was designed for solving specific kinds of problems. Then people realize there are deeper or different problems that the syntax cannot adequately address. Since the language is not a Lisp it cannot be repaired.<p>I think Python and Ruby are cool and useful tools, but I don't think their design will last another 50 years as Lisp probably will.