thing.py

# Access elements of a dictionary or a class by string:
def get_var_ruby_style(var, x):
    return x[var] if type(x).__name__ == 'dict' else getattr(x, var)

# Return a bound function that always accesses said element, like 'get_var_bound_ruby_style("added_at")' would
# always access the "added_at" value of whatever you pass in to it. Hooray closures!
def get_var_bound_ruby_style(var):
    def bound_ruby_style(x):
        return get_var_ruby_style(var, x)
    return bound_ruby_style