If only we had some sort of way of explicitly telling our computers that we wanted to to convert a sequence of characters into a number.

What I don't understand is why all these weak-typed languages don't optionally allow one to strong type a variable.

Weak typing does not require bonkers coercion of types.

That's like saying why doesn't someone create a combination hammer and screwdriver. A proper tool for every job.

And as much as I love python and javascript, I'd really like to use a screwdriver now and then rather than leave hammer marks everywhere, especially if they are being used for something beyond formatting HTML.

This hamdriver you speak of: tell me more.

Yes, that was the joke.