In my mind (developer back then) I'd amateur-psychoanalyze all of that nonsense as some kind of inferiority complex meant to preserve the self image. Needless complexity can be a feature!
And now we are all developers!
Or, as the kids say, a flex, but without the sexy connotations.
(Incidentally, I am also reminded of a great quote attributed to Morphy:
"The ability to play chess is the sign of a gentleman. The ability to play chess well is the sign of a wasted life.")