The quest for simplicity has a long and honourable history.
I would preface my comments with the observation that in my opinion it is
an ethical principle rather than a logical necessity. Simplicity is often
associated with "elegance" as well as efficiency. However, while a simple
solution might always be preferable to a complex solution on the grounds of
efficiency, recent work on complexity has shown the benefits of considering
the complex as a tool for explanation too.
William of Ockham/Occam (c.1300-1350) developed a principle that has come
to be known as "Occam's razor". He believed in simplicity, saying "it is
vain to do with more what can be done with less". In more recent times
Wittgenstein's correspondence presents an often moving account of his
struggle to account for the relationship between language and the world,
while remaining grounded in practical reality in the ways advocated by many
designers on this list.
Michael Biggs
At 10:03 27/09/2002 +0300, Kari-Hans Kommonen wrote:
>Apple's report to shareholders in January 1984, when the mac was
>published, displayed prominently a quote from Steve Jobs: 'Simplicity
>is the ultimate sophistication' (whether it is originally from him or
>somewhere else, I don't know. Anyone?).
>
>...
>
>I think that (regardless of troubles and sidetracks) Apple has
>understood and has been following that philosophy more consistently
>than any other actor in the industry, and has also changed the
>reality of computer use for everyone (by showing example, by feeding
>innovation through better platforms, by educating developers like
>Microsoft, by forcing competition to react,...). I do not want to
>promote apple; I just want to support the point of the 'parable'
>below, and offer an example where a simple (pun intended) design
>philosophy has been successful in supporting actual design.
>
>...
>
>In more general terms, I think software is essentially abstraction of
>life (very poor and limited as it is), and an increasingly important
>area of design. Designers who design software or with software or for
>people depending on software, need to be very fluent in operating
>with abstractions - there is a growing connection and dependence
>between the practice and reality of design and abstractions of all
>sorts.
>
>I find that one of the great hurdles for many designers, hurting
>their ability to really take advantage of and pursue innovation with
>digital technology, is a tendency to focus on the features of the
>device instead of the features of the software - the abstraction that
>actually runs the machine.
>
>Although a lot of software design is very down-to-earth practical,
>many future breakthroughs in the trade may emerge from a better
>understanding of phenomena and processes in everyday life, expressed
>or organized with the help of useful abstractions.
>
>...some connections between the abstract and the practical...
>
>kari-hans
>
>...
>At 10:38 +1000 27.9.2002, davidsless wrote:
>>Glenn
>>
>>> Back to David's point on abstraction, Hoare's view might deserve better
>>> attention. http://dsv.su.se/%7Ejpalme/s1/hoare.pdf
>>
>>
>>I had not come across A R Hoare before. A man after my own heart!
>>
>>I could not resist copying the penultimate paragraph of his 'Parable' for
>>the enjoyment (I hope) of others on this list.
>>
>>________
>>The pursuit of
>>complexity is easy, and the implementation of
>>complexity can safely be delegated to
>>competent managers. But the pursuit of
>>simplicity is one of the most difficult and
>>challenging activities of the human mind.
>>Progress is likely to be extremely slow, where
>>each complexity eliminated must be hailed as
>>a breakthrough. We need not only brilliance
>>of intellect but breadth of experience, nicety
>>of judgement, excellence of taste, and even
>>more than our fair share of good luck. And
>>finally we need a puritanical rejection of the
>>temptations of features and facilities, and a
>>passionate devotion to the principles of
>>purity, simplicity and elegance.
>>__________
>>
>>This was written about software design in 1975.
>>
>>SOFTWARE DESIGN: A PARABLE
>>PROFESSOR C. A. R. HOARE, University of Belfast
>>(From Software World, Vol. 5, Nos. 9 & 10, 1975, pp 53-56)
*******************************************************
Dr Michael A R Biggs
Reader in Visual Communication
Faculty of Art and Design
University of Hertfordshire
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United Kingdom
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