[$] Python and "dead" batteries

Python is, famously, a "batteries included" language; it comes with a richstandard library right out of the box, which makes for a highly usefulstarting point for everyone. But that does have some downsides as well. Thestandard library modules are largely maintained by the CPython coredevelopers, which adds to their duties; the modules themselves aresubject to the CPython release schedule, which may be suboptimal. Forthose reasons and others, there have been thoughts about retiring someof the older modules; it is a topic that has come up several times over thelast year or so.