[seanmcdirmid]

I find that the better I understand a problem, the simpler code I can solve with it. But I can also understand the problem better by solving it with code, and repeat a few times for a few months to approach an ideal solution.

Writing simpler code is more expensive than writing complicated code for that reason, unless you are a genius who can simplify any complex problem instantaneously. Anyways, your argument basically amounts to "do good, no do bad."