Personally, I perceive the 'complexity as a status marker' less a technological or programmer culture problem and more as one of business and job culture.
You won't find someone building needless complexity into something if the fundamental goal pushes the limits of their abilities. Basically, starving men don't build Rube Goldberg Machines to crack their eggs.
In technology in general, the majority of jobs seem to be been-done implementation while the education and training continues to stress design and engineering.
Complexity is an outlet for every boilerplate operator who would rather be engineering and a differentiator to remind him/herself and signal to others a greater capability.
You won't find someone building needless complexity into something if the fundamental goal pushes the limits of their abilities. Basically, starving men don't build Rube Goldberg Machines to crack their eggs.
In technology in general, the majority of jobs seem to be been-done implementation while the education and training continues to stress design and engineering.
Complexity is an outlet for every boilerplate operator who would rather be engineering and a differentiator to remind him/herself and signal to others a greater capability.