I will agree that JSON is 'simple' but it is only 'direct' in the context of javascript. For other languages, it is similar to XML in handling overhead. JSON's

I will agree that JSON is 'simple' but it is only 'direct' in the context of javascript. For other languages, it is similar to XML in handling overhead. JSON's significant technical problem is a lack of a formal schema definition and enforcement mechanism. You may feel that this is actually an advantage, but I assure you, as someone who has written systems of record for billion dollar businesses, it is not.