Why Life Can’t Be Simpler - Deepstash
How To Become a Better Decision-Maker

Learn more about personaldevelopment with this collection

Understanding the importance of decision-making

Identifying biases that affect decision-making

Analyzing the potential outcomes of a decision

How To Become a Better Decision-Maker

Discover 102 similar ideas in

It takes just

14 mins to read

Wanting a simpler life

Wanting a simpler life

When we desire a simpler life, we normally mean we want products and services to have fewer steps, fewer controls, fewer options, less to consider. But we also want all the features and capabilities. These two ideas are often at odds.

Life can be really complicated. We face processes daily that seems to repeat itself. Each step needs the completion of a different task to make it possible. We use tools that require us to memorize knowledge and develop different skills just to use them, like figuring out the controls for a fridge.

179

1.21K reads

Conceptual models

A conceptual model is the underlying belief structure about how something works.

For example, on many computers, the process of dragging and dropping files into a folder seems simple because people already understand physical files and folders. But understanding it is only possible because of an effective conceptual model. A computer does not have files and folders and will store data in multiple places.

The complexity of a structure is all in the mind. When we want something to be simpler, we only need a better conceptual model of it.

190

822 reads

Tesler’s law of the conservation of complexity

"The total complexity of a system is a constant. If you make a user’s interaction with a system simpler, the complexity behind the scenes increases."

209

1.05K reads

The conservation of complexity

To do a difficult thing in the simplest way, we need a lot of options. When looking an any set of tools for a task, such as a digital photo editing program, a novice will see complexity. A professional sees a range of different tools, each of which is easy to use. They know how to use each option to make a task easier. Without an array of options, the task will be more complicated.

Complexity is a constant. It cannot be eliminated, only moved somewhere else. When something looks simple to use, it can be very complex inside. When something is simple inside, it can result in a complex surface.

187

641 reads

Every functionality requires control

The more complex something is, the more controls it needs, whether visible or invisible to the user.

  • From the user's view, products and services are automated. If you stay at an expensive hotel, your room is always as you want it. The staff handles the complexity behind the scenes to make it happen.
  • On the other end, we have products and services that require users to control every step. A professional photographer is likely to use a camera where they manually set every setting. The amateur photographer might use a camera that chooses the settings, transferring the complexity to the inner working.

169

519 reads

Lessons from the conservation of complexity

  • How simple something looks is not a reflection of how simple it is to use. If complexity is a constant, then there are trade-offs.
  • Things don't always need to be very simple for users. When a product or service is too simple, users can feel robbed of control. We should recognize that too much simplification leads to diminishing returns.
  • Products and services are only as good as what happens when they break.
  • The level of control you give customers or users will influence your workload.

181

632 reads

CURATED BY

anty

I’ve got 99 problems and I’m not dealing with any of them.

stash-superman-illustration

Explore the World’s

Best Ideas

200,000+ ideas on pretty much any topic. Created by the smartest people around & well-organized so you can explore at will.

An Idea for Everything

Explore the biggest library of insights. And we've infused it with powerful filtering tools so you can easily find what you need.

Knowledge Library

Powerful Saving & Organizational Tools

Save ideas for later reading, for personalized stashes, or for remembering it later.

# Personal Growth

Take Your Ideas

Anywhere

Organize your ideas & listen on the go. And with Pro, there are no limits.

Listen on the go

Just press play and we take care of the words.

Never worry about spotty connections

No Internet access? No problem. Within the mobile app, all your ideas are available, even when offline.

Get Organized with Stashes

Ideas for your next work project? Quotes that inspire you? Put them in the right place so you never lose them.

Join

2 Million Stashers

4.8

5,740 Reviews

App Store

4.7

72,690 Reviews

Google Play

Sean Green

Great interesting short snippets of informative articles. Highly recommended to anyone who loves information and lacks patience.

samz905

Don’t look further if you love learning new things. A refreshing concept that provides quick ideas for busy thought leaders.

Shankul Varada

Best app ever! You heard it right. This app has helped me get back on my quest to get things done while equipping myself with knowledge everyday.

Ashley Anthony

This app is LOADED with RELEVANT, HELPFUL, AND EDUCATIONAL material. It is creatively intellectual, yet minimal enough to not overstimulate and create a learning block. I am exceptionally impressed with this app!

Ghazala Begum

Even five minutes a day will improve your thinking. I've come across new ideas and learnt to improve existing ways to become more motivated, confident and happier.

Giovanna Scalzone

Brilliant. It feels fresh and encouraging. So many interesting pieces of information that are just enough to absorb and apply. So happy I found this.

Laetitia Berton

I have only been using it for a few days now, but I have found answers to questions I had never consciously formulated, or to problems I face everyday at work or at home. I wish I had found this earlier, highly recommended!

Jamyson Haug

Great for quick bits of information and interesting ideas around whatever topics you are interested in. Visually, it looks great as well.

Read & Learn

20x Faster

without
deepstash

with
deepstash

with

deepstash

Access to 200,000+ ideas

Access to the mobile app

Unlimited idea saving & library

Unlimited history

Unlimited listening to ideas

Downloading & offline access

Personalized recommendations

Supercharge your mind with one idea per day

Enter your email and spend 1 minute every day to learn something new.

Email

I agree to receive email updates