Surely since you agree normalization helps to 'reduces/eliminates update anomalies' then that also means it's going to reduce the chance of data corruption?

Also what type of software design and development is not based on theoretical concerns?

Software developers spend years studying theory in the hope they can use that knowledge in their own designs.

Now I don't disagree normalization is a 'theoretical exercise' but it is also a helpful tool/technique that will make your life easier.

I think you misunderstood my comment. I have heard developers dismiss normalization as a theoretical concern. It’s not. Normalizing prevents update anomalies, for one thing. That’s not the same as “data corruption.”

In my experience most software developers don’t spend years studying theory. They spend hours studying buzzwords and fads.