IMO PyPy is Python's best hope. PyPy can be used to make a new python runtime that supports multiple cores more elegantly.

http://codespeak.net/pypy/dist/pypy/doc/home.html

"Python had missed a chance to in the ninties to become embedded in browsers, an opportunity that went to JavaScript..."

I didn't know this. Does anyone have a reference?

I don't know about any serious efforts to embed python into browser, but the point is valid. Due to recent Chrome developments, the bright future is with Javascript.

I think he's talking about this: http://grail.sourceforge.net/

Sounds like he's taking a stab at Python's reticence over removing the Global Interpreter Lock.

There's a branch of Python that removed the GIL. On single-threaded stuff, it's slower than regular Python.