[capitol_]

If you only build things that are so simple that anyone can understand the code on day one and you don't need any domain knowledge, then what is your value proposition?

If the most complex thing you can build is a todo-app, then I think you don't produce much value to society.

[RHSeeger]

Being able to write code that is able to be understood by someone new to the project is a skill set. It is certainly one that is not universal. And it is certainly one that should be admired. Solving hard problems in the simplest way, with clear information about why/how it works is one of the most important skills of a developer, imo.

[linhns]

Not day one, but anyone should be able to follow the code using a debugger and understand it. If you write spaghetti code segments, it's high time to change them.

[Moru]

If you ask society what has helped them the most, you will be surprised to learn how many claims the todo-list (paper or app in whatever time frame) is their main way of actually getting anything done.

[jdiez17]

Um, I would argue that what has helped society the most is agriculture, sewage systems, healthcare, electricity and heating, etc. All of which are technological innovations.

Also, how many variations of a to-do app does the world need?

[reaperman]

Dental care and air conditioning (more generally, refrigeration) are probably my top 2.