I think it applies here. The problem which conceptual integrity is that short-term incentives oppose it. A developer gets personal benefits for shortcuts (Yay,

I think it applies here. The problem which conceptual integrity is that short-term incentives oppose it. A developer gets personal benefits for shortcuts (Yay, a 10x rockstar developer!) while the costs are shared by all. A classic tragedy of the commons situation. Maybe you assume that random developers will speak up, point out an inconsistency, and everybody agrees to make it consistent from now on. In a small team it might work that way, but "system design" implies a larger community to me. Consensus is hard. The whole point of responsibility is that blame and praise is focused. A focus on everyone is no focus at all.