Tufte is the classic example of somebody’s who too smart by a half (i. e., he’s smart, but not smart enough). What he fails to grasp is that not everybody is like him. Where he see “Beautiful Evidence” many other see confusion. They simply can’t deal with the data density he finds so illuminating.
With whom are you trying to communicate? Yale academics? Then go for the density. Or are you trying to reach out to people who can’t keep multiple mental balls in the air at one time? Then go for simple and direct.