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.

>>40
Runs everywhere.
Java programmer 1: Hey! Did you ever wonder what's... you know... outside the JVM? I mean... where does our Code go when we run our servlets? And what happens to all those nested exceptions when they get handled?
Java programmer 2: There's probably some other, bigger JVM that handles that. The exceptions probably fall off the edge and into that bigger JVM where they're taken care of.
Java programmer 1: And where does that JVM run it's code?
Java programmer 2: It's JVMs all the way down, man. You're worrying too much.