Simplicity Bias

“For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong.” — H.L. Mencken

I’ve heard it said, and even believe myself, that perfection is achieved not where there is nothing left to add, but nothing left to take away. However, I also find myself questioning this idea at times due to our natural tendency towards simplicity and our tendency to overvalue it.

We love simple explanations. We love clever aphorisms and simple ideas we can use to hack our way through the undergrowth of life. I find myself, more often than I would like to admit, getting carried away with some pithy idea and applying it to far too many aspects of my life, even when it may not be the best approach.

It’s important to remember that some things are inherently complex. Not everything we encounter can be reduced down to a bumper sticker or a quote from a book. Reducing complex issues to oversimplified versions ignores many, if not most, aspects of the issue. In many areas of our lives, not least of which: the political, we tend to reduce concepts down past the point at which they retain their identity. They become straw men, simulacra, effigies and, having any nuance or character chiseled away, lose their meaning entirely.

There are presentations, PDFs, TED talks, or other hot takes that gain tremendous momentum solely because they are simple to grasp. They reduce a complex topic to a simple view, (like web3) and allow us to click off that part of our brain that needs to put forth effort to remember, consider, and entertain ideas rather than accept them outright. It’s much easier to follow along with a series of simple statements that lead to a clear conclusion than it is to deal with complexity.

This phenomenon is called simplicity bias, and though it’s not as well-studied as its sibling, confirmation bias, I believe it can be equally or even more impactful. It’s the tendency to hold views that can be explained by a simple narrative, rather than views that consider more complex details and are generally more accurate, realistic, and balanced.

Simplicity bias can be a seductive force, tempting us to embrace clear and easy answers to complex problems, even if they are ultimately wrong. Next time you find yourself faced with a tempting, straightforward solution to a complex issue, take a moment to consider the multiple sides and nuances at play. By doing so, I think we can all make more informed, realistic, and balanced decisions.