Section 1.1: Simplicity in Science

Those who seek knowledge have historically revered simplicity, as it often signifies truth. A prime example is Occam’s Razor, a philosophical principle from the 14th century asserting that the simplest explanation is typically the correct one. This notion has been adapted by the sciences as the Law of Parsimony and remains a foundational concept taught in graduate programs globally.

Simplicity transcends being merely an ideal; it is also a sought-after goal. From the ancient philosopher Democritus to modern physicist Stephen Hawking, the quest to identify the simplest elements of the universe has been paramount. Understanding the basic components is essential to grasp the more intricate phenomena.

The Ancient Greeks proposed a fundamental concept of matter—something that could not be divided further, which they named "atom," meaning "indivisible." For them, comprehending the atom was crucial to understanding existence itself.

Similarly, contemporary physicists endeavor to condense the universe's various governing laws into a single Theory of Everything, aiming to unify the four fundamental forces: gravity, the strong force, the weak force, and electromagnetism. This reduction signifies a monumental simplification, reinforcing the idea that the ability to simplify leads to deeper understanding.

However, achieving simplicity is not synonymous with ease.

Section 1.2: Clarity in Communication

Simplicity shines in all forms of communication. Consider literature; the straightforward style and structure of authors like Mark Twain and Ernest Hemingway are celebrated for their clarity. Why is this the case?

As experienced writers know, replicating their simplicity is far from straightforward. Adjectives and adverbs can proliferate excessively, cluttering sentences and detracting from their impact. The elegance of simplicity in literature lies in its potency and the difficulty of achieving it.

Complexity not only invites mistakes in science but also breeds confusion in communication. This principle applies equally to poetry, prose, mathematics, and art.

What makes a mathematical equation aesthetically pleasing? Kenneth Chang, in a New York Times article, suggests that its beauty lies in its ability to convey complex ideas with minimal symbols, a hallmark of effective writing.

Popular cosmologist Neil DeGrasse Tyson expressed his admiration for E=MC², stating, “It’s simple, yet profound. I’d be less impressed if it were a big complicated equation.”

In all forms of communication, we strive for simplicity, as complexity obscures meaning. When we seek to comprehend or convey ideas, we naturally gravitate toward clarity.

Yet, we often dismiss and undervalue simplicity. Why is this? I’ll outline two primary reasons, recognizing this is not an exhaustive analysis but likely addresses a significant part of the issue.

Section 1.3: The Complexity Paradox

Two professions that often grapple with clear writing are law and science. Not to generalize excessively, but individuals in these fields often have strong egos and can withstand critique.

Firstly, there is a common misconception that complexity equates to quality. This is not about the necessary use of specialized jargon; rather, it pertains to the unnecessary proliferation of such language within excessively lengthy sentences.

The American Bar Association has highlighted this issue for some time. Recently, they published an article titled "Plain talk: A conversation on simplicity with Rudolf Flesch," urging lawyers to make their writing more comprehensible. They provided a striking example of convoluted legal language transformed into clear, straightforward communication.

Before: “Unless the Office of Price Administration or an authorized representative thereof shall, by letter mailed to the applicant within 21 days from the date of filing the application, disapprove the maximum price as reported, such price shall be deemed to have been approved, subject to nonretroactive written disapproval or adjustment at any later time by the Office of Price Administration.”

After: “You must wait three weeks before you can charge the ceiling price you applied for. OPA can always change that price. If they do, they will write you a letter.”

This example illustrates why many find legal writing frustrating—there’s rarely a justifiable reason for such convoluted language.

Secondly, drafting complex sentences can often be easier than crafting simple ones. As previously noted, simplicity does not imply ease.

Mark Twain famously remarked, “I didn’t have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one instead.”

Dr. Arif Akhtar elaborated on this quote, asserting that writing a concise piece often demands more cognitive effort than producing a longer one, especially if one aims for meaningful content.

Now, let’s not solely critique lawyers. Here’s an example from psychology, specifically a well-cited seminal work in cognitive information processing.

Before: “When trait concepts of a person already exist at the time behaviors of the person are learned, only the behaviors that exemplify these concepts are encoded in terms of traits; that is, behaviors with implications for other attributes are not encoded in trait terms.”

After: “When people hold trait concepts about someone, they will only encode new behaviors that exemplify those existing traits.”

Numerous instances of unnecessary complexity abound across various fields.