You have a point regarding things that should be simple, not being simple. I'll agree that can be a problem. What I don't agree with is the idea that you have

You have a point regarding things that should be simple, not being simple. I'll agree that can be a problem. What I don't agree with is the idea that you have to use all the advanced features. Your last line hits on the idea that SVN users can't just commit, update, and get back to coding. Can't they? Can they not simply ignore everything extra until they hit a problem that the tools they've decided to use can't solve on their own? Branching, bisecting, rebasing et al are not required in a git-centered workflow, they just make it easier to do Black Magic (tm).