"We should work toward a universal linked information system, in which generality and portability are more important than fancy graphics techniques and complex extra facilities."
In other words: standards are more important than features. The utility of the web comes from being open and interoperable.
I saw the web in 1991. It didn't look ready to become adopted as a standard. The fancy graphics of NCSA Mosaic helped propel it forward. The img element was created without a standards process.
Is this meant to be a rebuttal? Or are you supporting the parent? The result of this discussion was no agreement, if I'm not mistaken, leading to mosaic implementing the img tag without a standard.
In other words: standards are more important than features. The utility of the web comes from being open and interoperable.