[jprupp]

It seems to me that there is a bias for complexity among software engineers. When faced with a problem, they seem to be deliberately choosing the most complex possible solution for it.

When another programmer runs a problem and proposed solution by me, the most common answer that he gets is: "the solution to that problem can be a lot simpler". Then he thinks about it and comes up with a significantly simpler, better solution on the spot. But I notice a touch of irritation, a hint that he doesn't really want to do it the simple way. It baffles me.