The problem is not limited to engineering. I have often had to push back with product guys responding to feature requests from users to address edge cases.
The trouble with doing so in social networks is that the potential for the law of untended consequences to strike is much greater in it as it is nearly impossible to test for every permutation and combination available.
If, as described elsewhere, the overwriting is due to using a specific and common API, the only unintended consequence is user reaction. No need to test for every possibility there.
The problem is not limited to engineering. I have often had to push back with product guys responding to feature requests from users to address edge cases.
The trouble with doing so in social networks is that the potential for the law of untended consequences to strike is much greater in it as it is nearly impossible to test for every permutation and combination available.