I use Python on some pseudo-embedded systems built with Raspberry Pis for data collection for scientists. The scientists love the fact that if they need to alter the code, they will have no trouble figuring it out. For the numbers we're using (dozens of custom units, not thousands of manufactured units) it's a no brainer, Python is perfect. Sure I'd use C if we were making 100000 of these things and getting the cost per unit down as low as possible was crucial, but most projects just aren't doing that. In the vast majority of projects, developer time is your most valuable resource. Now if we're counting by units in production, then you're going to be writing C on 10 cent micro-controllers, but most people aren't doing that.