[rogermarley]

Another aspect of this is it's often intentional.

I've spent most of my career working to simplify systems and processes, and the thing that's surprised me the most is how cool the reception usually is.

I think this is because professionally speaking it acts as a moat. By making something as complex as you are able you raise the participation costs of others.

The example I like to use is: it would never be in a lawyer's interest that the law be simple.