Two Types of Simplicity
One of my favourite memes is this one:
I love it because it's so dumb, and at the same time so clever.
It came to mind today as I was discussing the concept of simplicity with a friend. The common adage "keep it simple" is one of the most timeless pieces of wisdom there is, and at face value, it applies to this meme perfectly.
The guy on the left - the moron - says things that sound simple. The guy at the top of the bell curve - the semi-smart one - might advocate for some level of complexity and nuance. The guy on the right - the smartest guy in the room - goes back to simplicity as the highest order of quality thinking.
But there's nuance when it comes to simplicity (he says, trying desperately to not immediately cast himself as the guy at the top of the bell curve). It's not hard to crave simplicity. After all, why make something more complicated than it needs to be.
However, there's a big difference between what I'll call "Dumb Simplicity" and "Smart Simplicity".
Dumb Simplicity is the type of simplicity that never considers the complex. It's a result of under-thinking things and looking for shortcuts to avoid the discomfort of engaging in detail. People who are good at corporate politics - good talkers, in other words - are often the source of dumb simplicity. They often sound smart, but the substance is totally lacking because the neurons required to engage with the tough stuff simply haven't fired.
Smart Simplicity, on the other hand, is a wonder to behold. Smart simplicity comes from a true grasp of all the moving parts and the ways they interconnect, such that the person can distil and synthesise the complexity into something that anyone can understand. Albert Einstein is said to have quipped that things should be: "As simple as possible, but not one bit simpler." He was driving at the same point - simplicity is beautiful, but over-simplicity is a fool's errand.
The best founders I've met are masters of Smart Simplicity. They articulate a vision with such clarity not because they have pushed everything else to the side, but because they understand completely which moving parts matter and why the simple articulation is the right distillation of the complexity.
We should all aspire to Smart Simplicity whilst avoiding the allure of Dumb Simplicity. It's the best shot you have of being on the right side of the meme.