> but somehow learning imperative programming for a year "ruins" their ability to understand FP permanently? No, it ruins their willingness to learn FP. Novice

> but somehow learning imperative programming for a year "ruins" their ability to understand FP permanently? No, it ruins their willingness to learn FP. Novices know they're learning a new subject and set their expectations appropriately. Experienced imperative programmers think they're learning another minor variation on C and get frustrated when it turns out many of their existing mental models don't transfer.