Amy Smith's rules for design in the developing world are most insightful. I particularly appreciated the reference to the Leonardo Da Vinci quote: "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication".

The concept is relatively common. In most professional fields, there is the common saying, "KISS: Keep It Simple S(illy, tupid, etc). However, I have often viewed that as an admonishment against allowing your designs and / or plans grow in complexity beyond their necessity. After reading this, I think the other explanation makes good sense, too. "Do the hard work needed to find a simple solution"

This concept is also common in many technical fields, and I think applying this as a guiding principle when hoping to enact social change is really inspiring. Too often, many arm-chair social engineers sit back and say, "If only such and such group would just do this." and "If only everyone donated $1 to such and such cause". Instead, it's important to look around and say, "If only I were more involved. I could make a difference here."

Things don't become simpler by saying they are. Someone needs to make them simpler.