The unreasonable effectiveness of simple HTML

The article argues for the importance of designing simple, lightweight HTML-based websites that work across all devices and browsers, using the example of a homeless woman accessing critical housing benefits information on an outdated PlayStation Portable browser. The author emphasizes that public services and vital information should be accessible to everyone regardless of their device or internet connection quality, and that plain HTML with minimal CSS often serves users better than complex, bloated websites. The piece is a reminder that good web design means ensuring functionality for the worst-case scenario, not just optimizing for modern browsers and high-speed connections.