Simplexity

Simplexity is an emerging theory that proposes a possible complementary relationship between complexity and simplicity. The term draws from General Systems Theory, Dialectics (philosophy) and Design.

The term has been adapted in advertising, and marketing 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 they are shaped through dialogues and discussions. Several individuals have participated in the development of the meaning of this term in both formal and informal venues.

Education

One of the first formally published intances of the word was in the journal 'Childhood Education' (1924), in the article it seems to be used to discuss education and psychology related issues. (Unknown). [http://books.google.com/books?vid=0U0D8M_nRfBL9oKrN_&id=d5vHZ2xXBa0C&q=simplexity&dq=simplexity&pgis=1 Childhood Education] Published 1924. Association for Childhood Education International.] ]

In Science

Jack Cohen (scientist) and Ian Stewart authors of the book The Collapse of Chaos (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. Simplexity was whimsically defined by computer scientists Broder 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-cast inefficiency of A is asymptotically equal to the simplexity of P"Broder, Andrei and Jorge Stolfi. [http://portal.acm.org/citation.cfm?coll=GUIDE&dl=GUIDE&id=990536 "Pessimal Algorithms and Simplexity Analysis."] ]

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.

Social aspects

Professor Petter 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."Wipperman, Peter. (year unknown). [http://www.aec.at/en/archives/festival_archive/festival_catalogs/festival_artikel.asp?iProjectID=13665 Ars Electronica] ]

References

Further reading

;Books
* Jack Cohen. Ian Stewart. (1995). The Collapse of Chaos: Discovering Simplicity in a Complex World. ISBN-10: 0140178740
* Goldsmith, Julian R. (1953) " [http://books.google.com/books?id=WncPAAAAIAAJ&vid=0U6c7HPjO42FgAUIDjJofgo&dq=simplexity&q=simplexity&pgis=1#search A 'Simplexity Principle' and its Relation to Ease of Crystalization] ". The Journal of Geology. University of Chicago Dept. of geology and paleontology. University of Chicago Press.
* [http://books.google.com/books?vid=0hsJJYyqzth-r7LxiKJ0Gee&id=SksTAAAAIAAJ&q=simplexity&dq=simplexity&pgis=1 Journal of Personality Assessment.]
* Kluger, Jeffrey (2008) "Simplexity" [http://www.simplexitybook.com Simplexity]

;Articles
* Plaisant, Catherine (2004) " [http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:qVDq7-y0E_YJ:hcil.cs.umd.edu/trs/2004-36/2004-36.pdf+better+usability+%22simple+interface%22+site:.edu&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=6&gl=us&client=safari Information Visualization and the Challenge of Universal Usability] "

;Conference Proceedings
* de Groen, P. C., Dettinger, Richard, and Johnson, Pete. Mayo Clinic/IBM computational biology collaboration: A simple user interface for complex queries. In: Universal Access in HCI, Volume 4 of the Proceedings of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) International, 2003, pages 1083–1087.

;Blogs
* [http://technorati.com/tag/simplexity Simplexity] on Technorati
* Randomtech blog. " [http://randomtech.wordpress.com/2007/02/16/first-buzzword-of-2007-simplexity/ First buzzword of 2007, simplexity] ".
* Humane Systems Design blog. [http://multispective.wordpress.com/2007/04/30/simplexity-simple-and-complex/ "Simplexity: Simple and Complex"]
* A Conversation with Anders Hejlsberg (July 2003). [http://www.artima.com/intv/simplexity.html "Components, and Simplexity"] .

External links

* " [http://arc.typepad.com/customercrossroads/2006/03/its_time_for_si.html Complexity versus Simplicity: It's Time for Simplexity] " (Blogeintrag, 2. March 2006)
* " [http://www.sueddeutsche.de/,tt3m3/kultur/artikel/385/73312/ like much brain stands humans?] " Article in sp magazine of 7.04.2006, that at the edge also the term "Simplexity" mentions
* " [http://flyingsparks.wwwfiles.de/2006-03-11/simplexity-trendtag-entdeckt-die-simplicity/ Flying Sparks: Simplexity] " (Blogeintrag 11. March 2006)
* " [http://www.wirtschaftswiki.de/index.php?title=Simplexity economy Wiki: Simplexity] " (Wiki of the trade paper)