Why do people generally hold simplicity in high regard?

Question

Romance, children's movies and zen all convey the idea that simplicity is so much better than complicated, even if, on the surface, many would disagree. I agree, but why is this concept so very appealing?

Answer 1

Abraham Licoln once wrote in a letter to a friend "Sorry this letter is so long, I don't have time to write a short one"

Complexity has it's place, and is unavoidable to acheive sophisticated results. But often, complexity is frequently the result of lazy efforts or cluttered thinking. A goal of "as simple as possible" will hopefully reduce efforts in one's life that add no value.

Answer 2

I think it's a question of harmony. The more elements there are, the more possibility there is of jarring or conflicting elements, which offends our aesthetic sensibilities. Also, the fewer elements there are to anything, the more meaning attaches to each one. A fisherman who goes back home to his rosy-cheeked wife and plays the fiddle, and does little else, seems to have a more meaningful life than an insurance agent who goes home and watches TV or has dinner parties and a very varied social life. Too many elements causes a kind of cognitive overload. Personally I feel distressed by the amount of things and people, information and factors there are in today's world. I long for a simpler world.

On the other hand there's simplicity and simplicity. The kind of sleek minimalism of, say, a trendy restaurant or desirable residence seems too much. I would prefer a cluttered home or shop, a kind of Hogwart's aesthetic. That's a personal aside.

Also, we admire the virtuosity of elegant simplicity. When we watch a comedy programme like Fawlty Towers, where every single line and scene contributes to the overall effect, we feel gratification because we admire the workmanship. A short poem gives us the same frisson.

Good question!

Answer 3

I'm always fascinated that people equate Zen with simplicity. Actually Zen just asks us to embrace our lives fully, no matter how simple or complex things might be.

A monk once asked his Chinese Zen master, "When the 10,000 things come at me all at once, what should I do?"

The master responded, "Don't try to control them!!"

It's important to understand what true simplicity is. Simplicity is a quality of the human mind -- it's not something out there in nature. It's a way that our mind can understand the world. Our mind can also make the world appear very complex, chaotic, or overwhelming.

So the notion of simplicity is appealing because those people who have a simple mind (not simple-minded) are appealing people. They don't cause much fuss in the world. They care for others without making a big deal of it. They remain calm no matter what the universe brings to them.

Most importantly -- and this is true of Zen -- is that we have a choice in how our mind views the world. If we want a simple mind, we can practice meditation and other techniques that will increase our equanimity and make our lives more simple. Conversely, we can do things that will make our lives much more complex (drinking to excess, causing harm to others, etc.). It's our choice.

Answer 4

This is a very interesting question. Let me mention several aspects.

In science, we favor a simpler theory over a more complex theory when both theories account for something we see in the world (this is called Occam's Razor).

In design and architecture, many people prefer a more simple design because it is easier to understand how to use a thing.

In speaking or writing, we prefer the simpler expression because it is more easily understood.

Simplicity is direct and can be taken in at a glance. Complexity requires more study.

Answer 5

I think because we live in a complicated world. Simplicity does not require a lot of effort or thinking, its a no brainer. Also, the more complicated something is, the more that can go wrong with it.

Answer 6

Hi again Emma! I feel kinda that way about the Matrix movies at the minute, I’ve watched them to death and love them loads but have no real desire to watch them. I quite liked The Machinist but doubt I’ll ever watch that again. A Clockwork Orange I regard as a clever and technically brilliant film but it makes me uncomfortable to watch. Shrek, as light-hearted and funny as it is, when your younger siblings decide they want to watch it on repeat for 3 weeks it loses some of its pizazz. I’d say the main offender though, is The Mummy and The Mummy Returns, I loved the movies as a young mite but my mum and I watched them so often that it’s no longer exciting, nothing in it makes me jump, I don’t worry when somebody’s looks like they could be in trouble, and I don’t laugh when Jonathon says he’s a professional – it’s a shame really. BQ: I don’t but everybody else in the house does – my 4 year old brother and 6 year old sister both have hayfever and chicken pox at the minute so it’s a barrel of laughs at home. X

Answer 7

If you look around at life, the opposite appears to be true. Most people choose the complicated things; most people prefer a complicated answer to a simple yes/no. Just look at politics!

Answer 8

Go into a picture perfect bedroom, with everything aligned and in its place. Then go into that same bedroom which has been lived in for two weeks and not cleaned or picked up. Which causes you the most stress?

Go to a hot dog stand that has mustard hot dogs and a bag of ripple chips and a cola for $3. Then go into a fast food joint that has 4 types of chicken, 1 fish, 9 hamburgers and 150,000 different ways to fix them. Which causes you the most stress?

Serenity is the absence of distractions and irritants. It allows us to recharge our batteries and become at peace with ourselves and our God.

Answer 9

Depending on the category, simplicity breaths elegance.
If something is able to be done or said succinctly, then why elongate the amount of time or number of moving parts needed to do it?

Answer 10

cause life is so hard so we go in romance to simply cause we don't want to make it hard that's all we need some rest and we find it in romance so do u think even the rest will be complicated human like the easy thing