But the vast majority of people view the complexity of modern design on the web as an extension of design in magazines - it's expected, and not a problem. Users would rather that work is done for them then have to do it themselves.

What you're suggesting might make a nice browser plugin, though. Stylish but with an integrated marketplace.

    > majority of people view the complexity of modern design on the web as an extension of design in magazines...

Yes, because that's sort-of what it is!

There's a reason for styling. It makes things more legible, aesthetically pleasing and more fully expresses the intent of the content creator. We have different fonts and layouts for the same reason that buildings vary in design and materials. All buildings could be made of cinderblock and in the shape of rectangles but they're not, why do you think that is?

That's... exactly the argument I'm trying to make, here. Most people don't want the web to be as stripped down and minimalist as the site posted here, and asking them to style their own sites would go down about as well as asking them to bind their own books.