Maybe I mis-represented my argument. I didn't mean that I code small scale projects with large scale back ends just in case a user base boom happens. I meant that I try to code as using a "module" approach as much as possible. When (and if) the opportunity presents itself, the small scale project will be able to integrate a large scale solution much more easily.
You're making the same mistake that many awful managers make; namely "If the problem seems like it should be easy, it must be easy".
You aren't familiar with Facebook's infrastructure and comparing working on small websites to working on something that scales to roughly 1/12 of the entire population of the planet is laughably naive.
Saying you use a "modul[ar]" approach is nothing but handwaving. You think that facebook doesn't use modules? Or doesn't have a service oriented architecture to some degree? They friggin' developed their own RPC transport!
