Where are you looking? There is a massive community of python developers on linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=25827

I realize it was pretty dumb of me to forget about linkedin groups... thanks. But the fact still holds (atleast in my country, India... scenario might be different for different countries or even localities) 'number of coders in java' > 'number of coders in python'

PyCon India and foss.in are good events to meet passionate developers. Likewise, local developer meetups (like Bangpypers; Banglore python group), are another great venues.

``'number of coders in java' > 'number of coders in python'

Well, that is a no-brainer, since its the most popular language taught in colleges with C++ a close second. That said, there are a _lot_ of smarties coming out of colleges and its just a matter of polishing the diamonds in the rough before they get 'lured in' by low paying IT companies. I don't see why Joel Spolsky's tactic of 'snatching' promising young talents before even hitting their final year in college won't work; albeit a little work from your part.

Not dumb. I only discovered Linkedin Python groups yesterday. I didn't mean to come off as condescending.

It's cool... that wasn't condescending. I actually never thought of my linkedin connections/groups as potential co-workers...

Not very surprising. When I think of connections, I rarely think of Linkedin. I don't know what sucks about it, but something surely does :)