I think the point here is:   next does exactly what it always does.   What’s peculiar at first glance is the use of “short circuit” expression evaluation as a substitute for clarity.

You see the same sort of thing in statements like:   do_something() or die(“horribly”);   What sounds like a not-so veiled threat, is actually just short-circuit again.   If do_something() returns true, the die() part will not be executed.

Call me a luddite or simply a non-golfer, but I never write it that way.   I don’t mind using two statements where one statement will do, if by doing so I will eliminate the need for threads like these.   To me, perfect clarity always trumps brevity, and there is no place in the world of engineering for religion (or golf).