Lately there have been things that I have ran into that seem overly complicated. Instructions on how to complete a process at work, advice on parenting, how to publish something, how to sign up for something, running a program on my computer – the list goes on. Actually, a lot of what I am noticing has probably always been that way, but I am starting to look at it more. Why is there a need for so much explanation? Do most of us need all of that detail? Maybe I am missing something, and I am sure there are exceptions (brain surgery, launching a rocket, etc.) where details are crucial.
Detailed tasks aside, I have also started to notice that the more instructions and the more explanation, the more confusing it tends to be. Forget about remembering anything, but how do you even retain the key points? In a world where information is everywhere all of the time, now is a wonderful time to really look at ways to keep it simple if possible.
If you look at some of the best ideas out there (watching some TED talks, for example), you find that the ideas are simple. Something that makes you think and challenge your currently held beliefs. Something you can retain and recall at a later time. Something you can easily share with another person. To me, there is some real beauty in that simplicity of thought. And the fact that you can describe it simply makes it all the more powerful.
How about you? Does it sometimes feel there is way more explanation out there than what you need? Is there a way to simplify what information you take in? My hope is that you begin to appreciate the thought that powerful ideas tend to be the simplest ones to explain.