That's actually the better way for me as well! So my comment is somewhat off topic.

I still don't like the proposed change because of how much existing code it would break, but if we're designing a new language I approve.

I see - I suppose that’s a fair viewpoint to have!

I’m not much of a python programmer but my experience with the language would make me tend to agree actually. There are bigger fish to fry and so the effort to go after this relatively tiny sardine is perhaps not worth it.

I don't understand this. To me, a bare exception is explicitly that. By not providing a specific exception, you're saying "nothing specific, literally anything".