In my experience, the question "Why not just do X?" can have 2 intentions and interpretations. One meaning is "Obviously X is the better solution, and you're d

In my experience, the question "Why not just do X?" can have 2 intentions and interpretations. One meaning is "Obviously X is the better solution, and you're dumb for not doing X". The other meaning is "Naively, X would seem to be a solution, but I assume you have good reasons for not doing X. Could you please elaborate why you didn't do X, so I can learn something?" I can't speak for other people, but when I ask a question like that, my intention is to learn something. However, many people seem to interpret it in the "you're dumb" way. I've also trained myself to receive that kind of questions in the kindest way possible - i.e. in the "learn something" interpretation. It tends to lead to much more civil conversations and less drama. Look at it this way : if mr. Pleacher hadn't written the Carnation company "why don't you use a 1:1 ratio?", you and I wouldn't have learned these interesting things about cat food canning. So my advice : when somebody asks "why don't you just do X", assume they understand you have good reasons, and want to learn. On the other hand, when asking a question like that, realise most people won't have that interpretation. Make it clear you understand there are probably good reasons, and you'd just like to understand them.