Horseshit. That's what over-emphasizing a slow learning curve is all about. SE introduces abilities far too gradually in FFXIV, generally speaking, and the game is less interesting (both for level synced and newer players) for it. It has absolutely nothing to do with content balance, and the phrase "game design" must be something that just sounded good to you, considering that it encompasses everything gameplay-related in FFXIV, and would apply to abilities gained regardless of how quickly they were introduced.
The main problem is that most people that I've seen, in DF at least, cut loose first, and blame the tank or healer for the run going badly second. Sure, they could get vote-kicked for screwing things up, but realistically speaking, I think it would just lead to a lot of stress within low-level parties.
Also, adults are fully capable of following a speed limit sign (they all got their license, after all, which requires obeying the speed limits). It's that they don't want to, or feel the posted speed limit sign is too low, or need to surpass it in order to keep with the speed of traffic. Just saying. ;)
