Member-only story
Why “Less is More” Is More Complicated Than It Seems
At the heart of all this is a simple truth: humans are social creatures. We’re not meant to live in isolation.
If you’re on a free Medium plan, click here to read.
We all love the idea of simplicity. It’s why we admire clean, minimalist designs and why slogans like “less is more” resonate so deeply. But here’s the twist: simplicity isn’t simple. In fact, the simpler something seems, the more complexity it often hides behind the scenes.
Think about the sleek iPhone in your pocket. Its minimalist design makes it feel effortless to use, but it’s anything but effortless to create. From sourcing rare minerals to assembling its intricate components, the iPhone relies on a global supply chain that’s mind-bogglingly complex. Simplicity, it turns out, is often just a well-organized form of complexity.
This paradox isn’t new. Even 5,000 years ago, humans like Ötzi the Iceman — whose preserved remains were found in an Alpine glacier — relied on a surprisingly intricate network of tools, trade, and knowledge to survive. Simplicity has always leaned on the hidden scaffolding of complexity.
