Learn a functional language like Elixir. That’ll prove both useful and mind expanding!
I agree it's mind-expanding.
But I don't think most web development work is mind-expanding or a realistic application for it.
I also don't think using it to criticise PHP is really the right target. If you want to use a functional programming language/environment as a critique of modern web development... maybe start by targeting server-side JS.
How can Elixir make the development of those things easier/better?