If the language is readable beforehand, but brings a 30% productivity decrease to those proficient in it compared to what they could have with one that wasn't,

If the language is readable beforehand, but brings a 30% productivity decrease to those proficient in it compared to what they could have with one that wasn't, even the best programmer will be mediocre. Further, the best have had a long history of finding APL and derivatives appealing: Ken Thompson? Liked APL. Alan Perlis? Loved APL. Rob Pike? Has spent years on an APL interpreter. APL isn't lacking fantastic programmers. k has shipped with a Python-like sugar layer for years now (q). Readable to most, but without the notational value, much is lost. Q'Nial (one of my favorite programming languages) is readable by most. It's very verbose, but by all means an APL-derivative. It's not as useful a tool as one with notational benefit, and never attracted much interest. Anyone close-minded enough to ignore something entirely because they don't understand it at first isn't likely "top talent."