I think the problem is you state your opinion as absolute fact.  Your model for programming appears to be 10,000 monkeys typing away at the specifications handed down from On High.  PHP does work in that scenario.  It's simple.  It's easy to think in because it's so simple.  You can do complex things, but it'll be by gluing infinitesimally simple parts together over and over and over again.  (Think of PHP programs as an essay written by a 2nd grader.  Lots of simple sentences.  Lots of repetition.)<p>If all you have available is a bulk of mediocre people, then PHP is a great way of making sure they produce what you want <i>right now</i>.  Of corse, in this process, they will remain mediocre and never become more than your "average programmer" stereotype due to being forced to only think in the absolute simplest terms.