I think the specific example can create a distraction because of the use of indirection, but that there is a more general point to discuss: at what point is a chunk of code "too clever?"

One argument is that code should be written so that junior or average (or even below average) developers can be put to work on it. Another view is that part of a junior developer's learning experience ought to include not shielding him from alleged complexity or "clever" constructs, because sometimes they really are better or even unavoidable.

Cleverness for its own sake is one thing to avoid, but I think that's almost too subjective a standard to use.