You can program in pure mode in scala too(and scalaz framework helps in it). FFI is great but i don't miss it. For better performance there is the java collections and libraries.
I think that is the number one purpose to make software work but doesn't have to entitle a programmer to do stupid things. The quote from Ralph Johnson states this:"Before software can be reusable it first has to be usable.". In my mind, every real programmer likes to write pretty codes because after reaching higher levels trivial problems are so boring and writing flexible code kills two birds with one stone. Writing disposable code is another case. If you aren't interested in programming and don't enjoy it, you shouldn't have to choose this profession.