Simplexity
Encyclopedia
Simplexity is an emerging theory that proposes a possible complementary relationship between complexity
and simplicity
. The term draws from General Systems Theory, Dialectics (philosophy) and Design
. Jeffrey Kluger wrote a book about this phenomenon that describes how house plants can be more complicated than industrial plants, how a truck driver's job can be as difficult as a CEO's and why 90% of the money donated to help cure diseases are given only to the research of 10% of them (and vice versa).
The term has been adapted in advertising
, and marketing
and other industries.
and Ian Stewart
authors of the book The Collapse of Chaos
(1995), a non-fiction book that attempts to explain chaos theory
and complex systems
to the general public.
The complexity of algorithms and of mathematical problems
is one of the central subjects of theoretical computer science
. Simplexity was whimsically defined by computer scientists Broder
and Stolfi
as a concept worthy of as much attention as complexity:
The concept of Simplexity was amplified in the mid 1970's by Bruce Schiff and restated as "The process by which nature strives towards simple ends by complex means. The result of a simple random act can only be predicted by complicated means. The spatial placement of each atom in a transplanted plant root ball is difficult to predict, but, the plant will adapt it's root ball to the hole, and continue to thrive.
, David Bosshart, Designer Ora Ito, Markus Shepherd, Susane Tide Frater.
Simplexity: Why Simple Things Become Complex (and How Complex Things Can Be Made Simple) by Jeffrey Kluger
details many ways in which simplexity theory can be applied to multiple disciplines. Kluger offers a look at simplexity at work in economics, sports, linguistics, technology, medicine, and dozens of human behaviors. Simplexity also provides insight into how readers can improve their lives by understanding the interplay of complexity and simplicity.
Dan Geesin first used the term 'Simplexity' in his essay 'The melancholy of the set square', 2002, when describing how technology creates more distance through complex interfaces whilst performing a simple task. For example, getting money from a bank machine. He describes how in between the chain of interfaces there is more room for error. More interfaces, more potential problems.
Articles
Conference Proceedings
Blogs
Complexity
In general usage, complexity tends to be used to characterize something with many parts in intricate arrangement. The study of these complex linkages is the main goal of complex systems theory. In science there are at this time a number of approaches to characterizing complexity, many of which are...
and simplicity
Simplicity
Simplicity is the state or quality of being simple. It usually relates to the burden which a thing puts on someone trying to explain or understand it. Something which is easy to understand or explain is simple, in contrast to something complicated...
. The term draws from General Systems Theory, Dialectics (philosophy) and Design
Design
Design as a noun informally refers to a plan or convention for the construction of an object or a system while “to design” refers to making this plan...
. Jeffrey Kluger wrote a book about this phenomenon that describes how house plants can be more complicated than industrial plants, how a truck driver's job can be as difficult as a CEO's and why 90% of the money donated to help cure diseases are given only to the research of 10% of them (and vice versa).
The term has been adapted in advertising
Advertising
Advertising is a form of communication used to persuade an audience to take some action with respect to products, ideas, or services. Most commonly, the desired result is to drive consumer behavior with respect to a commercial offering, although political and ideological advertising is also common...
, and marketing
Marketing
Marketing is the process used to determine what products or services may be of interest to customers, and the strategy to use in sales, communications and business development. It generates the strategy that underlies sales techniques, business communication, and business developments...
and other industries.
Design aspects
- Complexity tends to rise as system elements specialize and diversify to solve specific challenges.
- Simple interfaces tend to improve the usability of complex systems.
History of the term
Like most terms they are shaped through dialogues and discussions. Several individuals have participated in the development of the meaning of this term in both formal and informal venues. However, one individual in particular (Anuraj Gambhir) is attributed towards the creation and popularisation of this term through various presentations and talks at Mobile Technology Conferences around the world.Education
One of the first formally published instances of the word was in the journal 'Childhood Education' (1924), in the article it seems to be used to discuss education and psychology related issues.In Science
Jack Cohen (scientist)Jack Cohen (scientist)
Jack Cohen, FIBiol is a British reproductive biologist also known for his popular science books and involvement with science fiction.-Life:...
and Ian Stewart
Ian Stewart (mathematician)
Ian Nicholas Stewart FRS is a professor of mathematics at the University of Warwick, England, and a widely known popular-science and science-fiction writer. He is the first recipient of the , awarded jointly by the LMS and the IMA for his work on promoting mathematics.-Biography:Stewart was born...
authors of the book The Collapse of Chaos
The Collapse of Chaos
The Collapse of Chaos: discovering simplicity in a complex world is a book about chaos theory written by biologist Jack Cohen and mathematician Ian Stewart....
(1995), a non-fiction book that attempts to explain chaos theory
Chaos theory
Chaos theory is a field of study in mathematics, with applications in several disciplines including physics, economics, biology, and philosophy. Chaos theory studies the behavior of dynamical systems that are highly sensitive to initial conditions, an effect which is popularly referred to as the...
and complex systems
Complex systems
Complex systems present problems in mathematical modelling.The equations from which complex system models are developed generally derive from statistical physics, information theory and non-linear dynamics, and represent organized but unpredictable behaviors of systems of nature that are considered...
to the general public.
The complexity of algorithms and of mathematical problems
Analysis of algorithms
To analyze an algorithm is to determine the amount of resources necessary to execute it. Most algorithms are designed to work with inputs of arbitrary length...
is one of the central subjects of theoretical computer science
Theoretical computer science
Theoretical computer science is a division or subset of general computer science and mathematics which focuses on more abstract or mathematical aspects of computing....
. Simplexity was whimsically defined by computer scientists Broder
Andrei Broder
Andrei Zary Broder is a Research Fellow and Vice President of Emerging Search Technology for Yahoo!. He previously has worked for AltaVista as the vice president of research, and for IBM Research as a Distinguished Engineer and CTO of IBM's Institute for Search and Text Analysis.Broder's research...
and Stolfi
Jorge Stolfi
Jorge Stolfi is a full professor of computer science at the State University of Campinas, working in computer vision, image processing, splines and other function approximation methods, graph theory, computational geometry, and several other fields...
as a concept worthy of as much attention as complexity:
"The simplexity of a problem is the maximum inefficiency among the reluctant algorithms that solve P . An algorithm is said to be pessimal for a problem P if the best-cast inefficiency of A is asymptotically equal to the simplexity of P"
The concept of Simplexity was amplified in the mid 1970's by Bruce Schiff and restated as "The process by which nature strives towards simple ends by complex means. The result of a simple random act can only be predicted by complicated means. The spatial placement of each atom in a transplanted plant root ball is difficult to predict, but, the plant will adapt it's root ball to the hole, and continue to thrive.
Interdisciplinary
Simplexity became the topic of formal discussion at the Hamburg Trend Day in Germany. Among the formal contributors were Peter Wippermann, Dr. Norbert BolzNorbert Bolz
Norbert Bolz is a German philosopher and media theorist. He is a professor at the Technical University of Berlin.Together with Friedrich Kittler, Bernhard Siegert, Georg Christoph Tholen and Wolfgang Coy, he is regarded as a pioneer of German media theory.Bolz developed a media theory, the "",...
, David Bosshart, Designer Ora Ito, Markus Shepherd, Susane Tide Frater.
Simplexity: Why Simple Things Become Complex (and How Complex Things Can Be Made Simple) by Jeffrey Kluger
Jeffrey Kluger
Jeffrey Kluger is a senior writer at TIME Magazine, and author of several books on science topics including Splendid Solution: Jonas Salk and the Conquest of Polio; Simplexity; Journey Beyond Selene; and Lost Moon: The Perilous Voyage of Apollo 13...
details many ways in which simplexity theory can be applied to multiple disciplines. Kluger offers a look at simplexity at work in economics, sports, linguistics, technology, medicine, and dozens of human behaviors. Simplexity also provides insight into how readers can improve their lives by understanding the interplay of complexity and simplicity.
Social aspects
Professor Petter Wipperman proposed a social definition"We long for simplicity and satisfaction. Simplexity therefore stands for a balance between the growing complexity of daily life and our own personal satisfaction. In order to attain this state, we have to stop always striving to make optimal decisions. In the future, it will be more important to make judgments that are just good enough."
Further reading
Books- Jack Cohen. Ian Stewart. (1995). The Collapse of Chaos: Discovering Simplicity in a Complex World. ISBN 0140178740
- Goldsmith, Julian R. (1953) "A 'Simplexity Principle' and its Relation to Ease of Crystalization". The Journal of Geology. University of Chicago Dept. of geology and paleontology. University of Chicago PressUniversity of Chicago PressThe University of Chicago Press is the largest university press in the United States. It is operated by the University of Chicago and publishes a wide variety of academic titles, including The Chicago Manual of Style, dozens of academic journals, including Critical Inquiry, and a wide array of...
. - Journal of Personality Assessment.
- Kluger, Jeffrey (2008) Simplexity Simplexity
Dan Geesin first used the term 'Simplexity' in his essay 'The melancholy of the set square', 2002, when describing how technology creates more distance through complex interfaces whilst performing a simple task. For example, getting money from a bank machine. He describes how in between the chain of interfaces there is more room for error. More interfaces, more potential problems.
Articles
- Plaisant, Catherine (2004) "Information Visualization and the Challenge of Universal Usability"
Conference Proceedings
- de Groen, P. C., Dettinger, Richard, and Johnson, Pete. Mayo Clinic/IBM computational biology collaboration: A simple user interface for complex queries. In: Universal Access in HCI, Volume 4 of the Proceedings of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) International, 2003, pages 1083–1087.
Blogs
- Humane Systems Design blog. "Simplexity: Simple and Complex"
- A Conversation with Anders Hejlsberg (July 2003). "Components, and Simplexity".
External links
- Complexity versus Simplicity: It's Time for Simplexity (Blogeintrag, 2. March 2006)
- Flying Sparks: Simplexity (Blogeintrag 11. March 2006) (German)
- Simplexity.co.uk Simplexity UK management consultancy