Simplify, Simplify, Simplify (?)

I feel as if the intelligent members of this world always feel the need to "simplify." There's something about getting down to the elements of a system that is very gratifying. Many problems cannot be solved without understanding the underlying fundaments, so it is natural that simplification is often thought of as a cure-all.


"Walden" by Thoreau embodies this idea. "Every morning was a cheerful invitation to make my life of equal simplicity, and I may say innocence, with Nature herself," Thoreau states. Later he remarked, "Our life is frittered away with detail. Simplify. Simplify."

Ikea

Apple

Target

"Simplifying" has even been quite the mantra for products these days. Think about some of the most successful companies in the world. Ikea. Target. Apple. All of these have the appearance of streamlined simplicity in their products.

Notice how I worded "appearance." For, when does simplicity become a barrier to learning? Simple sayings can embody whole truths. "Love thy neighbor," "Meat is murder," "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you," "Liberty over equality." But those all must be applied in the some of the most complex manners to our complicated, diverse lives. After all, behind the simple appearance of companies like Apple and Target, there are complex hierarchies and systems made to generate profit. And as far as religion goes (which is quite far, it influences our lives and our perceptions so greatly), C.S. Lewis said quite profoundly,
"It is no good asking for a simple religion. After all, real things are not simple. They look simple, but they are not. The table I am sitting at looks simple: but ask a scientist to tell you what it is really made of--all about the atoms and how the light waves rebound from them and hit my eye and what they do to the optic nerve and what it does to my brain--and, of course, you find that what we call 'seeing a table' lands you in mysteries and complications which you can hardly get to the end of." (The Case for Christianity)