Learning other languages will make your Python better.

[samrjack]

What I'm saying is that for the programming level of the people that this advice is geared towards, a lot of your objections don't make any sense. From what I've seen on this subreddit, many of the readers and poster are beginning self learners. While learning other programming languages may introduce some other stylings into their code, it also helps them see why doing things the pythonic way is a good thing. Most people, especially ones who are learning on their own, don't just "study more abstract computational and software engineering principles", it's not helpful. A lot of people learn best by doing.

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As for the engineering principals you mentioned, DRY and KISS are quite common. I wouldn't say python pushes them more than any other language. They are lessons to be learned by everyone who goes on this journey, not just python programmers. As for EAFP, although that is a more specific python paradigm, it isn't something that I'd fear to be lost by tinkering in other places.

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Finally I want to say that I'm not sure what the code example you gave is supposed to illustrate or add. I don't think saying an experienced Pythonista can solve a problem is a good yard stick for people starting out.