6 ms·

This feels like a classic example of the concept that simple ≠ easy

godelski 10mo ago
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 10mo 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.
  - throwaway8xak92 10mo 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.
  - nkrisc 10mo 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.
  - godelski 10mo 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.
IshKebab 10mo ago
Yeah kind of feels like "writing a hit novel is simple - you just need a plot that is engaging, well written prose, and a satisfying story arc". I mean... yeah kind of obvs. Very "rest of the owl".
- christophilus 10mo ago
  Well, that wouldn’t give you a “hit” novel. That would give you a good novel. Hit != Good

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 10mo 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.
- throwaway8xak92 10mo 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.
- nkrisc 10mo 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.
- godelski 10mo 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.

IshKebab 10mo ago

Yeah kind of feels like "writing a hit novel is simple - you just need a plot that is engaging, well written prose, and a satisfying story arc". I mean... yeah kind of obvs. Very "rest of the owl".

christophilus 10mo ago
Well, that wouldn’t give you a “hit” novel. That would give you a good novel. Hit != Good