The simplicity factor
Being first doesn’t matter, being the ‘simplifier’ matters
‘A system tends to grow in complexity instead of simplicity, until the resulting unreliability becomes intolerable.’ Paul Dickson, Laws of Life and Nature
The rising unreliability of complex systems forces their breakdown, creating opportunity for simpler systems that are more relevant i.e. yield better services, without the ‘pain’ of dealing with complexity.
Simpler systems don’t imply being less evolved [technologically] or less creative - in fact quite the opposite.
What a simple system ‘does’ is more effective i.e. easier, faster, relevant, and fun.
The simplicity factor applies across the board. How we live and work. Why some businesses survive and others fail. The instability of over-complex economic systems.
Simplicity favours the brave, often creating new grounds for engagement and opportunity.
Twitter and Friendfeed
Seth Godin and Malcolm Gladwell
Wikipedia and the iPhone
Buddhism and great leaders
Crowdsourcing: A complex underlying system [that strides the dynamics of social engagement/ communication/ technology], but the end result can be triggered by a simple question
A natural, Zen-like way of living that allows us to travel light, simplifying life-choices.
And many more that you observe everyday!
Being first doesn’t matter as much as making it simpler and easier to get amazing things done.
As Henry Thoreau observed, ‘Our life is frittered away by detail... Simplify, simplify’.
What are the biggest barriers to keeping things simple?
How do you [help people] get amazing things done?
How do you simplify?
