I have a hard time taking this reasoning seriously because the most likely rationale behind quick/dirty solutions is that there was a business need (ie: meeting

I have a hard time taking this reasoning seriously because the most likely rationale behind quick/dirty solutions is that there was a business need (ie: meeting deadline/high quality/low cost, pick two). Well-designed systems may eventually grow into something monstrously unpleasant, not because it's "fun" to shit all over the pristine design specs but because it's most pragmatic.