Hi Evan,
The reason it's not in Data.List is because there are a bazillion different splits one might want (when I was pondering the issue before Brent released it, I had collected something like 8 different proposed splits), so no agreement could ever be reached.
It is curious though that the Python community managed to agree on a single implementation and include that in the standard library… So it is possible :)
This is sometimes cited as the advantage of a benevolent dictator-for-life. I remember there was lots of argument when 'join' was added as a string method (vs. should it be a list method). In the end, Guido decided on one and that's what went in.
having a dictator is not a necessary prerequisite for the ability to make decisions. It's quite possible to decide controversial matters without a dictator -- say, by letting people vote. Take care, Peter