Simplexity is an emerging theory that proposes a possible complementary relationship between complexity and

simplicity Simplicity is the state or quality of being simple. Something easy to understand or explain seems simple, in contrast to something complicated. Alternatively, as Herbert A. Simon suggests, something is simple or complex depending on the way we ...

. The term draws from

General Systems Theory Systems theory is the interdisciplinary study of systems, i.e. cohesive groups of interrelated, interdependent components that can be natural or human-made. Every system has causal boundaries, is influenced by its context, defined by its structu ...

, Dialectics (philosophy) and

Design A design is a plan or specification for the construction of an object or system or for the implementation of an activity or process or the result of that plan or specification in the form of a prototype, product, or process. The verb ''to design' ...

. Jeffrey Kluger wrote a book about this phenomenon that describes how house plants can be more complicated than industrial plants, how a truck driver's job can be as difficult as a CEO's and why 90% of the money donated to help cure diseases are given only to the research of 10% of them (and vice versa). The term has been adopted in

advertising Advertising is the practice and techniques employed to bring attention to a product or service. Advertising aims to put a product or service in the spotlight in hopes of drawing it attention from consumers. It is typically used to promote a ...

marketing Marketing is the process of exploring, creating, and delivering value to meet the needs of a target market in terms of goods and services; potentially including selection of a target audience; selection of certain attributes or themes to emph ...

and other industries.

Design aspects

* Complexity tends to rise as system elements specialize and diversify to solve specific challenges. * Simple interfaces tend to improve the usability of complex systems.

History of the term

Like most terms, it has been shaped through dialogues and discussion. Several individuals have participated in the development of the meaning of this term in both formal and informal venues. Most notable is Anuraj Gambhir who is attributed with the creation and popularisation of this term through various presentations and conferences around the world.

Education

One of the first formally published instances of the word was in the journal 'Childhood Education' (1924), in the article it appears to be used to discuss education and psychology related issues.(Unknown).
Childhood Education
Published 1924. Association for Childhood Education International.

In science

Jack Cohen and Ian Stewart authors of the book ''

The Collapse of Chaos ''The Collapse of Chaos: Discovering Simplicity in a Complex World'' (1994) is a book about complexity theory and the nature of scientific explanation written by biologist Jack Cohen and mathematician A mathematician is someone who uses ...

'' (1995), a non-fiction book that attempts to explain chaos theory and complex systems to the general public. The complexity of algorithms and of mathematical problems is one of the central subjects of

theoretical computer science computer science (TCS) is a subset of general computer science and mathematics that focuses on mathematical aspects of computer science such as the theory of computation, lambda calculus, and type theory. It is difficult to circumscribe the ...

. Simplexity was whimsically defined by computer scientists

Broder Broder or Bröder is a surname. Notable people with the surname Broder / Bröder include: *Andrei Broder (born 1953), Research Fellow and Vice President of Emerging Search Technology for Yahoo! * Andrew Broder (1845–1918), Ontario farmer and me ...

and Stolfi as a concept worthy of as much attention as complexity:

"The simplexity of a problem is the maximum inefficiency among the reluctant algorithms that solve P. An algorithm is said to be pessimal for a problem P if the best-case inefficiency of A is asymptotically equal to the simplexity of P."Broder, Andrei and Jorge Stolfi
"Pessimal Algorithms and Simplexity Analysis."
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The concept of Simplexity was amplified in the mid 1970s by Bruce Schiff (self-described theorist) and restated as "The process by which nature strives towards simple ends by complex means. The result of a simple random act can only be predicted by complicated means. The spatial placement of each atom in a transplanted plant root ball is difficult to predict, but, the plant will adapt its root ball to the hole, and continue to thrive. This conceptual expression harkens back to original statements of Newton, "Nature is pleased with simplicity", Dalton, "rule of greatest simplicity," and Einstein, "Nature is the realization of the simplest conceivable mathematical ideas." In 1974

Rustum Roy Rustum Roy (July 3, 1924 – August 26, 2010) was a physicist, born in India, who became a professor at Pennsylvania State University and was a leader in materials research. As an advocate for interdisciplinarity, he initiated a movement of mat ...

and Olaf Müller noted simplexity in the structure of

ternary compound In inorganic chemistry and materials chemistry, a ternary compound or ternary phase is a chemical compound containing three different elements. While some ternary compounds are molecular, ''e.g.'' chloroform (), more typically ternary phases r ...

s: :By dealing with approximately ten ternary structural groupings we can cover the most important structures of science and technology specific to the non-metallics world. It is a remarkable instance of nature's 'simplexity'. In 2003, simplexity has been defined by Philippe Compain in the context of an article on the future of synthetic chemistry as follows:

"Simplexity may be defined as the combination of simplicity and complexity within the context of a dynamic relationship between means and ends.";Philippe Compain "The challenge of simplexity. The simple and the complex in organic synthesis" Act. Chim., 2003, 263-264, pages 129-134.
/ref>Philippe Compain et al. "Looking forward: a glance into the future of organic chemistry" New J. Chem., 2006, 30, pages 823-831.
/ref>

The quest for simplicity constitutes indeed the basis for all future challenges of

chemical synthesis As a topic of chemistry, chemical synthesis (or combination) is the artificial execution of chemical reactions to obtain one or several products. This occurs by physical and chemical manipulations usually involving one or more reactions. In mod ...

including diversity, selectivity and

green chemistry Green chemistry, also called sustainable chemistry, is an area of chemistry and chemical engineering focused on the design of products and processes that minimize or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances. While environmental che ...

. Due to the almost infinity of molecules that could in theory be synthesized,A. Lipinski, F. Lombardo, B. W. Dominy, P. J. Feeney, Adv. Drug Delivery Rev. 2001,46,3. the focus of synthetic research has been shifted gradually from target-oriented synthesis to diversity-oriented synthesis ( divergent synthesis). A scientific approach based on the power of the molecular construction game and guided by an ideal for simplicity, has a high potential for discovery. The creative combination of synthetic methodologies, mixing simplicity and maximization of structural complexity, is indeed expected to be a powerful tool to produce unprecedented molecular structures with beneficial properties for mankind.

Interdisciplinary

Simplexity became the topic of formal discussion at the Hamburg Trend Day in Germany. Among the formal contributors were Peter Wippermann, Dr. Norbert Bolz, David Bosshart, Designer Ora Ito, Markus Shepherd, Susane Tide Frater. ''Simplexity: Why Simple Things Become Complex (and How Complex Things Can Be Made Simple)'' by Jeffrey Kluger details many ways in which simplexity theory can be applied to multiple disciplines. Kluger offers a look at simplexity at work in economics, sports, linguistics, technology, medicine, and dozens of human behaviors. ''Simplexity'' also provides insight into how readers can improve their lives by understanding the interplay of complexity and simplicity.

Finance

Simplexity has been used by Jens Nordvig to describe the particular aim of his analytics firm Exante Data.

"Maybe the best word for what we are trying to achieve is ''simplexity''. A research product that draws on a very complex analytical foundation, but is presented in a very simple and easy to digest manner. ... This concept of ''simplexity'' may be important in a much broader sense. The general idea of simplexity could be key to effectively service a growing community of so-called “quantmental” fund managers that use large amounts of data and modeling in their processes, while still applying a human touch in the final investment decisions. We think ''simplexity'' will be increasingly important to how we develop our overall research at Exante."

Social aspects

Professor Peter Wipperman proposed a social definition

"We long for simplicity and satisfaction. Simplexity therefore stands for a balance between the growing complexity of daily life and our own personal satisfaction. In order to attain this state, we have to stop always striving to make optimal decisions. In the future, it will be more important to make judgments that are just good enough."

References

External links

*

' (Blogeintrag, 2. March 2006) *
Flying Sparks: Simplexity
' (Blogeintrag 11. March 2006) (German) *
Simplexity.co.uk
' Simplexity UK management consultancy Industrial design Complex systems theory