This so called "best reaction" is wrong. The sooner the Perl community stops that self-delusion the better.

As for discrediting TIOBE: Good. I'm all for it. Let's bring Perl to the 1st position, and then make public, that we give a sh*t about TIOBE. Chances being heard *then* are way better than squeaking from the lower ranks. So before you start with some imaginary language, try to start with Perl.

Because when you really try, you will see how hard it is and whether you are even able to persist. And as a nice side effect - when you try - you will learn many things not encountered before. Browsing the Perl videos on YouTube, was very enlightening for me.