Why software ends up complex
https://alexgaynor.net/2020/nov/30/why-software-ends-up-complex/ [alexgaynor.net]
2020-12-13 21:35
Every feature request has a constituency – some group who wants it implemented, because they benefit from it. Simplicity does not have a constituency in the same way, it’s what economists call a non-excludable good – everyone benefits from it. This means that supporters can always point to concrete benefits to their specific use cases, while detractors claim far more abstract drawbacks. The result is that objectors to any given feature adition tend to be smaller in number and more easily ignored. Leading to constant addition of features, and subtraction of simplicity.
I agree with the premise, but challenge the idea that it’s not possible to deny feature requests.
source: HN