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The average Linux kernel developer is probably confident in 5-10 languages, and I can’t imagine they would really have trouble picking up Rust.

That kind of argument might hold for the average junior javascript dev, but kernel developers are normally an experienced bunch and C is rarely learnt today as a sole language.

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Yes, I'm sure they're extremely smart, but equally, they are deeply expert in C, and it is not that easy to become deeply expert in Rust (or any other language). Even smart people can't just pick up new tools in a day.

They way rust is used in the kernel is a lot more constrained in scope and APIs compared to normal userland rust and hence easier to learn. A lot of added rust API are also just high-level abstraction of already existing concepts/code used in the kernel.

Be that as it may, thanks to selection bias, the vast majority of kernel devs still probably prefer working in C.

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