The automobile industry has just been through another such cycle, today producing a car that is much better built and much more satisfying to drive then those of the 1970's and '80's. It is the same with conceptual artifacts and the Pattern of Knowledge. We start simply, build complexity taking in more and more parts and more and more experience. The sites and fasteners become complicated. We then invent new fundamental elements greatly simplifying the sites and fasteners.
Simplicity is the answer to an interesting question about the elements of knowledge.
This is exactly what happens when a new element of knowledge is invented. It can hold much more, and it can contain a much wider variety of experience. It enables us to greatly simplify our constructions, the building of other artifacts. Simplicity is the answer to an important question. It is because such new fundamental elements enable great simplifications in our knowledges.