Doesn't seem like a huge debate for me. R is written in a way that encourages thinking like a statistician. Python environment enables simpler ways to "productionalize" your code and makes it easier to "think like an engineer". Both can be powerful, and each has some corner cases the other doesn't. If you know why you need to use one use it. If you don't, choose Python if your more of a coder and R if your more of a mathematician. Then switch when you get bored! :)