I usually recommend Smalltalk for similar reasons. When I was running a ST users group every so often we'd get people trying to sell us on various functional la

I usually recommend Smalltalk for similar reasons. When I was running a ST users group every so often we'd get people trying to sell us on various functional languages. My usual response was to (sincerely) say that if they built me as Smalltalk-like development environment in their language, I would definitely try it out. Still waiting.