Incidental complexity in code accumulates like a fern's massive genome, and leaders must favor simple, maintainable solutions over quick fixes to keep velocity and product health.
The fern Tmesipteris oblanceolata carries the largest known genome, over 160 billion base pairs, not because it needed it but because it faced no pressure to trim excess. That biological bloat mirrors what happens when software teams repeatedly choose the path of least resistance, layering abstractions and hacks that add up to massive incidental complexity.
Rich Hickey's distinction between simplicity (absence of unnecessary interleaving) and ease (immediate accessibility) frames the problem: short-term easy fixes feel productive, yet each one inserts hidden cost that slows future work. The article shows how intrinsic complexity-business rules, performance constraints-requires thoughtful design, while incidental complexity is the byproduct of opting for quick wins.
In competitive markets, products cannot rely on isolation like the fern. Leaders must recognize when easy patches are acceptable and when they create debt that erodes velocity. The piece advises regular reflection on how often the team chooses the easy path, measuring the growing cognitive load and edge-case surface area.
Ultimately, the argument is practical: treat incidental complexity as a technical debt ledger, prioritize refactoring toward truly simple architectures, and use the fern as a cautionary example of how unchecked bloat can cripple even a thriving organism.
Check out the full stdlib collection for more frameworks, templates, and guides to accelerate your technical leadership journey.