simplicty is important, but i believe it is not the most important metric for a PL and have no problem with complex PLs. the question; is it worth the trouble? c++s failure is not the complexity but c++ being one of the least orthogonal languages out there. in c++ you are able to compose two great things/ideas (other than my only options are c and c++ this is the biggest reason i prefer c++ over c) yet the end result is not more but less.