if your new function is just a composition of existing function, point-free is fine. I'd probably extend that to things like straightforward partial applicatio

if your new function is just a composition of existing function, point-free is fine. I'd probably extend that to things like straightforward partial application as well, but I strongly agree with your implied point that once some new function isn't a relatively simple derivation from some existing function(s), point-free style tends to become a liability. It's cute doing things with weird combinations of operators like (.) and ($), but it's also the Haskell version of writing C code full of one-character identifiers and obscure macros.