alt Hacker News> The example you point out is the advanced case, someone only needs in a very specific case
This is exactly how C++ landed where it is now. Every time it's "you only need to know that syntax if..." well it ends up everyone has to know that syntax because someone will use it and if you're a responsible programmer you'll end up reading a lot code written from other people.
An unbeatable argument, really.
But still there is a difference between learning and mastering.
I recently helped my partner learn for her CS class, and I feel very comfortable arguing that my previous statement holds up.
Mastering? No, in that case I agree with you.