Not getting carried away with personal ambition

As someone who used to design objects (Ceramic dinnerware and sculpture) and as a fan of new technology, design of products that push the boundaries of current design and technology have always excited me. The latest thing, the newest gadget, the best industrially designed solution; I always get a little rush every time one comes along and I can get my hands on it.
In last week's class when we were given a chance to see OLPC's laptop, I marveled at all of the design quirks that made it an expertly designed machine. Likewise in this week's readings I was equally excited by the prospect of OLPC's tablet PC design. It's fun to try and stretch ideas about technology to the point that you believe they can solve any issue. In the middle of my excitement this past week brainstorming little technological solutions to issues faced by the BOP population, my friend sent me this video about a low-tech solution from those very individuals:

This video is a wonderful reality check. The man in this video took some very basic and available chemistry, materials that were readily accessible, and created a fast, easily implemented solution. Now I'm not saying that we need to immediately start finding solutions that build from trash, but that those solutions need to fit the problem at hand in the best way possible.
Both OLCP's laptop and "Solar Demi"'s solutions work in their own way and both are appropriate for different reasons. The nice thing about comparing the two is that it serves as a reminder to balance personal ambition of wanting to wear the badge of "Next Big Thing" with designing the most appropriate and implementable solution to the problem.