Yes, I agree, I think pragmatic discussion like this is important, the 'magic, beautiful, life-changing' hyperbole is probably better left alone in analysis I'd say.
In fairness there is some good context for wanting to get the 'magic', Lisps are talked about in such a context, as beautiful life-changing experiences, so it's understandable to be curious. I'd agree, the right tool for the job, and focus on the job, but the context is there to ask. Lisps as I've used them seem like powerful tools.
I live in a country where Bob Ross isn't really known at all, and I spend a lot of my free time doing illustration or painting (http://ultimatehurl.tumblr.com is where I post stuff, to give an idea). Having relatively recently learned of him and his show I think it's amazing and encouraging. I have no formal training yet frequently have people say to me 'I could never do something like that!', Bob Ross worked to prove that's not true, because it's really not.