Comments on: Simple Not Simplistic

By: Stephen Shapiro

Stephen Shapiro — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:17:23 +0000

Javier, thanks for your thoughts.

By: Javier

Javier — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 19:54:15 +0000

The article was very interesting especially the common innovation myths.
I realize that for example in engines yes to have more power and torque usually you need to have a bigger engine. But you can use technology as supercharging, turbo charging, and variable valve timming, along with low weight, high compression and others and you will have a powerfull engine in a compact size. But of course depending on the application. So that is a case in you can apply the bigger is not always better.

By: Stephen Shapiro

Stephen Shapiro — Fri, 22 May 2009 14:29:00 +0000

Fred, thanks for your comment. I like the distinction… “needing a decision” versus “thinking there is an answer.” I think in reality there is no reality. Therefore there is never AN answer…just a decision about which path to take.

By: Stephen Shapiro

Stephen Shapiro — Fri, 22 May 2009 14:22:30 +0000

Thanks Luis. I don’t think the correct answer is simplicity or complexity…it is the right tool for the right situation. Sometimes we like to over-complicate things. And other times we over-simplify. And I totally agree with your point on distinguishing symptoms from root causes. I have a whole series of blog entries on critical thinking that address these topics… http://www.steveshapiro.com/category/critical-thinking/

By: PTLdom

PTLdom — Thu, 21 May 2009 10:22:33 +0000

Be careful, don’t get for granted simplistic generalizations. In lots of cases the problem is not the problem but the symptom. Maybe it’s time to start a new era of “complexification”, as our wourld was born complex, to extract the patterns that will differentiate the achievable solutions.

By: Fred H Schlegel

Fred H Schlegel — Mon, 04 May 2009 01:44:18 +0000

Your point about data is well put. In addition to looking in the wrong place for inspiration, you can get trapped into thinking there is ‘an answer’ rather than realizing what you need is ‘a decision.’