A list is a monad

I think this adds more confusion than it removes.

A list is not a monad. A list is a data structure; a monad is more like a "trait" or "interface." So you can define a List type that "implements" the monad interface, but this is not an inherent property of lists themselves. That's the sense in which a list "is a" monad: the OOP sense.

Haskell's List monad provides a model for nondeterminism. But that certainly isn't the only way List could satisfy the monad interface! It was a deliberate choice -- a good choice, possibly the best choice, but a choice nonetheless.

Hi, I completely agree. "A" list isn't inherently a monad, and that is where my metaphor starts to fall apart a bit (my post title furthers this issue.)

I can clarify this earlier in part 1 or 2 instead of in to-be-written part 3.

Its a harmful metaphor and clickbait title.