Visual Studio Code stuff
Issue: ImportError in system pip wrappers after an upgrade
Description: After upgrading to pip 10 or higher, many users are encountering variations of the error ImportError: cannot import name 'main'
Solution: pypa/pip#5599 (comment)
I followed some instructions elsewhere and ran
sudo apt install python-pip
pip install --upgrade pip
and hit upon this issue.
python -m pip uninstall pip
This fixed it, returning me to the system pip
I have to say, although I don't fully understand the complications involved, it doesn't feel like pip should self-immolate like this.