This is why I went to the trouble to build my setup. My previous setup was simple to the point of being complicated. I had to fiddle with more stuff, had more potential for mistakes and burns, had to lift, had to drag out more stuff to set up and of course put away. So simplicity really depends on how you define it and what your needs are.I need to figure out how to simplify my brewing. I really need to get it to where I'm not lifting coolers full of hot water, and then lifting my keggle of wort up to a level where I can drain it from the ball valve at the bottom.
You may be seeing some people that got into the hobby because of the cool factor. They bought and made tons of equipment and then figured out that it just wasn't the hobby for them. When starting off, it is easy to get carried away and buy new toys and shiny things.Is this part of a movement or something? I've been seeing more fancy brew rigs for sale in Seattle's craigslist than I've ever seen. Maybe it's the economy.