I don't disagree with anything you've said. Though I might raise a very minor objection to the unspoken implication that the "most" database schemas which are c

I don't disagree with anything you've said. Though I might raise a very minor objection to the unspoken implication that the "most" database schemas which are currently trivial should be trivial. You're right that trivial designs are very often preferable. But I would hasten to add that when the application calls for data correctness, a bias towards triviality can occasionally manifest as a trade-off between complexity on the application side and complexity on the database engine side. (As for the condescension, I agree with that too. It was aimed squarely at the GP in the marginal hope that he gets to experience his own tone mirrored back at himself. It might just offer him some insights into perspective.)