“Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler,” Albert Einstein once famously said. This has an especially poignant edge to it in this age of infoglut where cramming more features into a puny gadget is the order of the day. And yet we are unwilling to do more, preferring to stay above the interface and opt for ease of use -- no, strike that and make it -- the simplest to use. In short, we want both complexity of function and simplicity of design, the resolution of which has helped push up the stock of many a design house, be it consumer electronics, automobiles, or just about anything that has become an extension of our physical senses if not mental faculties.
At least one derivative of “simple” often connotes reduced capacity or diminished capability as in simpleton, which according to Encarta is “an offensive term for somebody regarded as lacking intelligence or common sense. Then who can forget the apparent contradiction in the refrain less is more. While simplicity can certainly evoke a sense of parsimony (less), the resulting elegance can often be awe-inspiring (more).
According to Wikipedia, “simplicity is the property, condition, or quality of being simple or uncombined. It often denotes beauty, purity or clarity. Simple things are usually easier to explain and understand than complicated ones.” No argument there, except this is where simplicity begets complexity. Charles Mingus, the American jazz bassist and composer, can certainly identify with the need for simplicity when he was quoted as saying, “Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity.”
One paragon of simplicity is the Google search page where open space abounds. Google understands that simplicity is both sacred and central to its competitive advantage. In coming out with the uncluttered look, Google definitely understands and provides what we need, but at the same time does not pander to what we want as that will be endless.
Less commonly known is perhaps the so-called test of Occam's razor, which posits that all other things being equal, the simplest theory is the most likely to be true. The principle recommends selecting those competing theories that introduce the fewest assumptions and postulate the fewest hypothetical entities. This is analogous to the use of fudge factors in mathematical modeling where less, fudge factor that is, is better.
In his book entitled simply Simplicity, the world renowned motivator, Edward de Bono of the lateral thinking fame, argues eloquently for the case for simplicity and provides us with a framework to do so. John Maeda, a computer scientist at the MIT Media Lab dubbed “the Master of Simplicity”, has written a book, The Laws of Simplicity, which I’ve not read. But a glimpse of what to expect can be gotten at his blog. To name just a few that I can empathize readily:
A complex system of many functions can be simplified by carefully grouping related functions.
The positive emotional response derived from a simplicity experience has less to do with utility, and more to do with saving time.
The more you know about something beforehand, the simpler it will ultimately be perceived.
And one that particularly resonates with me:
Simplicity is about subtracting the obvious, while adding the meaningful.
And to end this rambling on simplicity that I ardently subscribe to, here is a quote attributed to the German polymath, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, “Everything is simpler than you think and at the same time more complex than you imagine.” How profound!
(First posted on Oct 5, 2006)
3 comments:
Yes, simple may be the most abused word, and yet there is really nothing simple about it, pardon the pun.
As in contrast, there is no simplicity in the absence of complexity. The human mind works best in a relative frame.
A lot of the misunderstanding in a business setting is due to mis-communication with differing expectations. Oftentimes clinching business deals with lip service is the rule rather than the exception.
At the level of humanity, the inability to differentiate needs from wants is the cause of needless suffering.
“Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler,” Ah, this makes the richest man on earth (edit: and the second richest).
"The more you know about something beforehand, the simpler it will ultimately be perceived." It is always simpler to navigate on a map than on the wheels(I drive on Google Earth). Sometimes wheels can feel square.
The flower is simple. Looks like it has some hints to tell.
Simple, but not easy.
There is such a thing called distraction even for one used to multitasking. For one thing, you would get worried about other drivers on the road, but surprisingly never yourself. So in that sense, navigating cybersphere is like piece of cake compared to driving on the road where danger lurks at all corners.
People too, I mean, can look and act square. The road to success is littered with failures of trying to fit a square peg through a round hole.
A few strokes of artistic expression can certainly evoke clarity and visual serenity. But it goes much deeper, touching our inner core to be at peace with the world since the image is also a manifestation and projection of the inner feelings of a kind soul, who happens to be my wife.
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