Here is why. I like to equate the technical community with the skiing community. The barriers to entry are tough. It takes a lot of practice to become good ski

Here is why. I like to equate the technical community with the skiing community. The barriers to entry are tough. It takes a lot of practice to become good skier, and many that do become expert skiers instantly elevate themselves above the rest with routes, equipment, and other types of "I'm more technical than you." So, back to hate for PHP. The C++ and Clojure and Erlang crowd are the double black diamond skiers, and they are the first to throw hate at the green and blue skiing crowd - because, well, they've mastered everything else and since they mastered it, well, they are just better than you. Meanwhile, you've got the PHP type skiers who are cruising the groomers, enjoying the sun and living life - pinching themselves because they are just getting the task done. They occasionally hit a black or two, and even hit the moguls to refine their turns and technique, but they are there to get shit done - which means to ski and have fun. Then you've got the Perl and COBOL guys who just ski around the mountain and complain about all of the above, since they've been skiing for 40+ years. Disclaimer: I am an avid skier and maintain a number of successful Web properties based on PHP. And I love the groomers...