> people reading code examples will nitpick minor pet peeves in the syntax and completely detract from the actual news ideas and concepts

Err, ok, so? Don't be so afraid of criticism, I guess? Yeah, some people will nitpick. I don't see the problem.

I think the emphasis should be on "nitpick" and "detract". Syntax is important, but they want people to focus on the fundamental or underlying concepts instead of the syntax first. With regarding taking criticisms: I think the person posting this submission may not be associated with the language to begin with. I wonder if any Pony developers are even reading it. Just my 2 cents.