It's a syntax addition for something that is usually implemented on the stdlib level in other languages. I wouldn't call that minimalist.
so the forget what? it's convenient, and it's a small thing. adding one simple shorthand symbol doesn't turn over the entire purpose of the language.
No, Lua sucks because it seems to completely miss support for using libraries. It claims to have "meta-mechanisms" so that libraries can extend the language features. Well, except for that there doesn't seem to be a good way to actually handle said libraries. :)
"i can't use metatables, that means they aren't a good thing!"
bro metatables are probably one of the more useful things in lua, and if you can't use them, you're missing out, lol
While, yes, I'm generally biased towards Python and co., this is such a fundamental thing to get right, especially if your standard library is practically nonexistant (although even if it's comprehensive it should still be there).
by what you're suggesting, lua shouldn't even exist, due to the fact that if it were like other languages and to implement all of the standard functions you mention, there wouldn't even be a point, since you could just use another language to achieve the same thing.
lua wasn't created as a language on its own, but a framework for people to embed, add features to, customize, and expand.
just because it doesn't include everything you can do on your own, doesn't mean it's not "doing it right", it means you're a lazy forget who can't use a language unless it spoonfeeds you.