Why Simplification Gets Us in Trouble

Simplification is humans’ ordinary cognitive strategy to make sense of a complex world. It involves distilling complex ideas, concepts, or problems into simpler, more manageable forms. While simplification can be helpful in various aspects of life, it can also lead us into trouble when overused or misapplied.

In our efforts to simplify things, we often avoid dealing with the possible aftermath of that simplification. This is very true when it comes to innovations and reactions to disasters. For example, the current rage of Electric Vehicles is an exquisite and straightforward solution to pollution. However, we are struggling with the issues of finding the extended range of the vehicles, lifespan and exorbitant cost of replacements, and safe, responsible disposal of exhausted batteries.

Of course, the elephant in the room is Plastic. Convenience and cost-friendly solutions to several tasks in the past; however, the resultant pollution is now being felt worldwide. Also, I can’t ignore the chattering that has led to the dumbing down of our vocabularies over the last 30 years. Write and speak as if your audience was made up of 6th-grade students. I refuse to submit the latter one, sorry.

This article explores simplification’s appeal and potential pitfalls and why relying on it too heavily can be detrimental.

The Appeal of Simplification:

Cognitive Efficiency: Our brains have limited cognitive resources, and simplifying complex information allows us to process it more efficiently. It saves mental energy and time. It is often due to laziness or reactive management because we don’t have time for a complex answer.

Clarity: Simplification can make things clearer and more understandable for ourselves and others. It aids in effective communication. While this is true, it is also a fact that some groups will overcomplicate things to feel superior or to take advantage of people, like contracts, privacy agreements, or consultant reports. With the rise of Social Media and the variant growth of manufactured results in testing, multiple layers of truth, and Deep Fake photography manipulation, it has become more challenging to be clear and concise.

Problem-Solving: Simplifying complex problems can help us quickly identify solutions by breaking them into smaller, manageable components. This practice is critical when dealing with highly complex issues but must also be addressed with collaboration and thought leadership.

Lack of Expertise: Without deep knowledge in a particular area, complex details are often reduced to basic concepts. Yes, this does help if leadership needs to become more familiar with a process, product, or market the company is entering.

The Pitfalls of Simplification:

Despite its advantages, simplification can lead to problems when used excessively or inappropriately. Have experienced this too many times in 50 years in management.

Loss of Nuance: Simplifying complex ideas involves leaving out essential details or nuances. While it may not be intentional, it can result in an inaccurate or incomplete understanding of the subject matter. Quite simply, this can lead to a disaster at the time of release, or it may wait to rear its ugly head as the life cycles of products or services expire.

Stereotyping and Bias: Overreliance on simplification can lead to stereotyping and biases. When we reduce individuals or groups to simplified categories, we ignore their diversity and unique qualities. We have lost sight of the glory of diversity in the age-old search for uniformity because we believe that uniformity minimizes cost, selection, and availability and that the consumer wants to save money.

Misleading Conclusions: Simplifying complex issues can lead to misleading conclusions. This is particularly problematic in fields like science, where oversimplification can result in inaccurate findings or predictions. In modern business, we live and die on data. However, the data is often skewed or distorted by improper collection or bias by the parties generating the data.

Ignoring Complexity: Some problems are inherently complex and cannot be adequately addressed through simplification. Attempting to do so may result in ineffective solutions or strategies. We find this is especially true in medicine and science. I marvel at the complexity of some situations but find we often ignore the complex in favor of a simplistic response, as seen many times during the COVID-19 years.

Overlooking Interconnections: This is dangerous but happens too often in business today. In a complex world, many issues are interconnected. Simplifying one aspect may inadvertently neglect its relationships with other factors, leading to unintended consequences.

Inflexibility: Overreliance on simplified models or frameworks can make individuals and organizations resistant to change or new information that challenges their simplified views. This is an issue in the US today regarding social issues. Everyone is expecting a simple answer to homelessness, political corruption, and greed in business. The core of this inflexibility is an unwillingness to compromise with parties involved because we want our way or no way at all.

Balancing Simplification and Complexity:

While it’s essential to recognize the limitations of simplification, it’s equally crucial to acknowledge that complexity can be overwhelming. Striking a balance between simplification and complexity is the key to avoiding the pitfalls of excessive simplification.

Here are some strategies to achieve this balance:

Context Does Matter: Consider the context in which you are simplifying. Some situations may warrant simplification, while others require a more nuanced approach. Understanding the context is essential for any data analysis or interpretation.

Understand Diverse Perspectives: Engage with diverse voices and perspectives to avoid oversimplification and bias. Encourage critical thinking and open dialogue. Be transparent and forthcoming in all communications regarding analysis and resolution.

Stay Open to Revision: Be willing to revise your simplified models or views when new information or evidence emerges. Flexibility is essential. I am a protopian, and I believe that our survival will depend totally on our ability to be flexible and open to positive change.

Embrace Complexity: Embrace the fact that some issues are inherently complex, and simplification may not always be the best approach. Don’t try to hide the complexity behind the mask of simplicity like so many things today. Embrace uncertainty and ambiguity when necessary.

Conclusion:

Simplification is a valuable cognitive tool but has inherent risks when overused or misapplied. Recognizing the potential pitfalls of simplification and striving for a balanced approach that appreciates complexity is crucial in navigating a world that is often both intricate and challenging. By doing so, we can make more informed decisions, avoid biases, and address complex issues with greater clarity and accuracy.