Why is Java so popular

The introductory programming course at uni teaches Java, but you don't have to take it if you know a programming language. Should I teach myself python over the summer (I already know the basics) and avoid having to learn Java? Or are the haters just people who are scared of object orientation.

>>105
Most of /prog/ are social introverts who can't accept the fact that programming isn't hard anymore. It's almost like flipping burgers now, you know, it really is quite easy. So, in order to give their lives some meaning, they artificially create difficulty where it's not needed, so they can say to everyone "Oh look at this, look at all of these difficult things that I do. Look how good I am"
But of course they don't say that because they're introverts.
And so life imitates art.