The Power of Simplicity

What do you think of when you hear or see the word “simplicity”? For most people the word has a negative connotation.

People we describe as simple are often underwhelming and boring. Objects we classify as simple have limited functionality and unimaginative designs.

We also have the same view of methods and approaches we call simple. In such contexts, we rarely use the word simple alone. Rather, we say a method is “too simple”, as if it lacks correspondence to the complexity of the situation at hand. While some of these such uses of “simple” are appropriate and accurate, much of it is not.  But the issue is not the misuse of the word but our understanding of it. We fail to appreciate the power of simplicity and reinforce this through misappropriation.  

Let me illustrate this through the lens of fashion. A fashionable outfit would have some combination of complementary colors, contrasting textures, and layering that enhances a certain aspect. The fashionista takes the time to find colors that can individually shine bright in the eye and adds them together in a way to elevate the aesthetic experience. Far from a mere addition, the colors collaborate harmoniously, each one playing its role to make up the whole. The same goes for textures that provide a dimension to the colors and induce a “feel”. Be it street, athletic, professional or any other way we would tend to describe an outfit, this draws heavily on the fabric and texture of what is worn. Another aspect is layering which can act as the seasoning of a meal, enhancing richness, providing depth. Yet any of these factors could also make the outfit unappealing to see. If the contrast is thrown off by bold colors that simply add in series, displaying a visual conflict of colors that hurt the eyes. Or take the textures, without a guiding thread would lead to an incoherence so vividly felt that people would ask “what are you going for here?” But maybe the most obvious of these aspects would be layering. Think to yourself, how many times have you been walking on the sidewalk and noticed someone covered with layer over layer? I’m talking about people who put a jacket over sweater, an overcoat over the jacket, and a raincoat over that overcoat. A more common occurrence is people who overdress for occasions. These come about because of overthinking or confused thinking. Those with a clear image of the outfit in their mind won’t complicate it. They dress with simplicity so wonderful it goes unnoticed. All that remains is the aesthetic experience so intense we think “wow, that looks nice!”.

A piece of music can also be transformed into something greater through simplicity. You can probably already think of songs or pieces that are “simple” yet leave a lasting impact every time you listen to them. Music that is simple is often difficult to produce. Over-layering instruments and adding beats and rhythms in excess can distract from hearing a singer’s voice. By overwhelming the ear, they can also prevent the listener form hearing the sounds in their full richness. Sounds would cover one-another by imposition and dysfunction. Simplicity would, however, ensure that every sound is heard. Yet simplicity remains rare amongst most musicians, often found in the work of more proficient and skilled artists. One reason is that simplicity in music brings about a space of vulnerability. An obstacle that is overcome with confidence. Quieting a noisy space highlights a silence that emboldens every remaining note. The singer’s voice, the violin solo, and the background piano all stand out in contrast to the silence. This is when the sounds can be truly heard, with all their strength and weakness. The singer or musician who fears “to be found out” for the fraud they feel to be will shy away from stripping bare the piece for their authentic sound to be heard. But for the masterful artist, the simplicity is symbolic of the clearing of dirt and mud for the gem to surface and shine. It is in this way that a philosophy of simplicity in music make each note and its corresponding silence more valuable.

Great writers and storytellers are also noticeable through the serene simplicity of their work. Ruthlessly cutting out unnecessary words and leaving only what is essential, they make each word more impactful. By simplifying the story, they enrich the reading experience by allowing the development of the characters to shine bright. In the case of manga artists (mangaka), a tasteful simplicity in paneling can stimulate the eyes to flow through the page smoothly. Thereby, readers feel as if they are in motion along with the moving character or seated peacefully in the scenery depicted. This can also be accompanied with figure/background combinations where the figure is within an empty space, a white background, which highlights the figure even more. Simple themes and topics are also difficult to expound. The more one tries to develop and explore them, the deeper they must dig. The lower you get to, the harder it is to dig but the more probable you will hit gold.

Throughout all these examples and any other that crossed your mind, I compel you to appreciate the role that simplicity could play in your way of life. How you think and act can be transformed by simplicity, resulting in richness and depth of character. Simplicity is wonderful, let it unlock the potentials at your disposal to feel that.