"For one, if the libraries are what's important, then just keep on with java." Java has a very restrictive and inflexible syntax. I'd rather have macros, first

"For one, if the libraries are what's important, then just keep on with java." Java has a very restrictive and inflexible syntax. I'd rather have macros, first class functions, and all the other benefits of a Lisp, as well as being able to access Java libraries. "It seems to me that the use of one shitball java library could negate any value that Clojure brings to the table." You mean you could use a Java library that uses threads and has locking bugs? Sure, that's a possibility, but I can't think of a language that doesn't have this problem. Even if the language itself is safe, there's usually a FFI. "I believe it is the case that there are libraries that are acceptable for use with more java, but their use will be discouraged if Clojure is thrown into the mix." Why do you believe this is the case? If a Java library suffers from race conditions in Clojure, it'll suffer from race conditions in Java as well.