I think some of it may come from being forced to use X language, and then finding Y language, and realizing that it fits your mindset perfectly, and deciding th

I think some of it may come from being forced to use X language, and then finding Y language, and realizing that it fits your mindset perfectly, and deciding that everyone using X must be idiots. Ie, these partisans were exposed to other languages, but never particularly liked them, until this new thing came along that seemed like a revelation. The zeal of a convert, sort of thing. I haven't spent enough time with Forth or Rust to say, but I can see why both of them could seem like that to people. Forth, especially, has a sort of philosophical/hacker bent that is inherently appealing to a certain kind of person (including me!). Whereas I can't imagine Java ever winning someone over like that (though I'm sure it has).