> A negative framing might be that there's a sort of elitism. A more positive framing might be that it simply reflects a tension between different, valid views of how to build software which are sometimes (but not always) in tension.

I really like this framing of "in tension". Multiple things can be true. I think it represents a healthy tension that I'm grateful exists, even if I'd not personally wish to be operating in that specific tension. But I'm sure the people living in are different than me, and can do things in this world that I could not :)