I think it's the chinese whisper effect applied to http://www.jwz.org/doc/worse-is-better.html [0] and as such more cult than information. As witnessed by the discussion around here.
[0] ("Correctness-the design must be correct in all observable aspects. It is slightly better to be simple than correct.")
[0] ("Correctness-the design must be correct in all observable aspects. It is slightly better to be simple than correct.")