Complex, detailed work takes time, attention, energy and labour. When we see something that is complex, we tend to be able to recognise it as such, even if we know nothing about it. Aeroplanes, computers, grand buildings are all amazing feats of human ingenuity even though most of us don’t have a clue about how these things actually work. We admire the person or people who spent all that time, effort, attention and money on making such a complex thing.
Simplicity, on the other hand, also takes time, attention, energy and labour. But, the effort, restraint, and experience required to know how to reduce, declutter, and clarify is often greater than that required to add, enhance, and complicate. Not always, but quite often. A master-crafted knife, air-conditioning you don’t think about unless it’s broken or simple on/off light switch. When a sauce is reduced, there is less of it, but the flavours are intensified.
I enjoy complexity, but I love simplicity.