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In that sense most things are simple. Though it's also simple to over simplify. Since often simplicity arises out of the accumulation of expert analysis rather

In that sense most things are simple. Though it's also simple to over simplify. Since often simplicity arises out of the accumulation of expert analysis rather than being obvious from the get go. Which I think is just as important as what you say: Simple != easy Simple != obvious Simple != intuitive Simple != easy to understand I think if people remembered these things then things would be more simple. I'll add one more relationship Elegant == Simple Simple != elegant

philipov 1y ago
Simple means not complex, means not composed of even simpler parts. A twelve step plan is literally a list of simpler parts, making it not simple. Most things are complex, since there are so many ways to combine simples. It is an ironic title.
- nkrisc 1y ago
  > Simple means not complex, means not composed of even simpler parts. “Simple” is obviously subjective and context-dependent, but I don’t agree with that. Getting a bowl of cereal is simple, yet still composed of several simple steps.
- throwaway8xak92 1y ago
  > Simple means not complex, means not composed of even simpler parts. Is that formally defined and widely accepted? If not, I don’t think your argument holds because almost nothing is simple based on what you said.
- godelski 1y ago
  > Simple means not complex I disagree. Most things are complex, yet most things are also simple. Don't forget that words are overloaded so they only mean things in context. Words are both simple and complex because of this. As an example: the rules to the game of life are simple. The outcomes are complex. The rules cannot even be decomposed further, making them first principles of that universe. > means not composed of even simpler parts These would really be "first principles". Which is a form of simplicity. Being the simplest something can be, yet that sentence itself conveys that "simple" relies on context and in a continuum. This relationship of "simple yet complex" is quite common. We could say the same thing about chaotic functions like the double pendulum. It is both simple and complex.

philipov 1y ago

Simple means not complex, means not composed of even simpler parts. A twelve step plan is literally a list of simpler parts, making it not simple. Most things are complex, since there are so many ways to combine simples. It is an ironic title.

nkrisc 1y ago
> Simple means not complex, means not composed of even simpler parts. “Simple” is obviously subjective and context-dependent, but I don’t agree with that. Getting a bowl of cereal is simple, yet still composed of several simple steps.
throwaway8xak92 1y ago
> Simple means not complex, means not composed of even simpler parts. Is that formally defined and widely accepted? If not, I don’t think your argument holds because almost nothing is simple based on what you said.
godelski 1y ago
> Simple means not complex I disagree. Most things are complex, yet most things are also simple. Don't forget that words are overloaded so they only mean things in context. Words are both simple and complex because of this. As an example: the rules to the game of life are simple. The outcomes are complex. The rules cannot even be decomposed further, making them first principles of that universe. > means not composed of even simpler parts These would really be "first principles". Which is a form of simplicity. Being the simplest something can be, yet that sentence itself conveys that "simple" relies on context and in a continuum. This relationship of "simple yet complex" is quite common. We could say the same thing about chaotic functions like the double pendulum. It is both simple and complex.