Java easy to learn ? Java Server pages were ok and i even got into servlets, then java something faces came out. Documentation at the time wasn't geared with any empathy as far as I could see. You had to install Tomcat another learning curve; so it all seemed elitist to me with my limited brain capacity. php on the other hand you could play with from the go ; documentation was great and you could get replies. php seemed to take off java just seemed to remain for the elitist.
The problem is a common one, there is an assumption that those that compiled a kernel while still at school assume everything is obvious or we must have some cognitive issues.