A Simple Project: Introduction
Audio version: An AI-generated two-person discussion exploring the ideas in this post.
The modern world is anything but simple—it's filled with tangled systems, opaque processes, and overwhelming choices. These are symptoms of a deeper issue: a society burdened by what we call the Three Cs—complexity, complication, and confusion. We’ve created A Simple Project to remove these barriers.
Our Solution
We’ll give you the mental tools, techniques, and knowledge to simplify your world. The core aim of simplification is to manage cognitive load, making information not just accessible but also actionable. This is an ambitious project. To make this work, we need three things: a clear definition of ‘simple,’ solid concepts to guide us, and a practical framework to tie it all together.
What is Simple?
To move toward clarity, we must first understand what we mean by “simple.”
The way we understand “simple” is similar to how we understand “healthy”: more by what it is not than by what it is. Health is often defined as the absence of disease or pain. Clean is often defined as free from dirt and pollution.
Just as health is defined by the absence of disease and clean by the absence of dirt, simplicity is best understood as the absence of the Three Cs—complexity, complication, and confusion.
Conceptual Foundations
Simplification bridges the gap between experts and novices, letting specialists share what they know. It makes complex ideas accessible and invites broader engagement. But it’s not arbitrary—it requires a systematic toolkit of strategies. We provide a comprehensive foundation of mental concepts used to pursue simplification across a range of domains.
Simplification is not about removing content—it's about reconstructing it so it makes sense. It involves thoughtfully redesigning information to be more accessible, often by creating new avenues for comprehension instead of just leaving things out. This constructive method applies our conceptual foundations.
Crucially, while aiming for clarity, the process must rigorously uphold the integrity of the original topic or system. Sacrificing accuracy for simplicity is counterproductive, leading to misrepresentation and defeating the purpose of the exercise. Therefore, we use precise definitions of the foundational concepts and systematically employ them in the simplification process.
Consider the challenge of introducing a smartphone to someone who has never used one. They will be overwhelmed by its numerous icons, gestures, and technical jargon. They do not have a mental model of the device as a pocket-sized computer, so they are confused by this tiny but complex gizmo.
Instead of explaining every icon and setting, we begin with a simple question: What do you want this phone to do for you? Perhaps it’s just to call your family or share photos of the grandchildren. By focusing on these core Jobs To Be Done, we immediately strip away the overwhelm. We set aside the ninety-nine things the phone can do and focus on the three things the user needs to do.
With that focus, we build a bridge from the familiar to the new. We use a simple Analogy, explaining that a smartphone is just a small computer that also makes calls. Its apps are like tools in a toolbox, each with one specific job. This helps the person construct a basic Mental Model—an understandable picture of how the device works. The complex gizmo becomes familiar. From there, learning happens one step at a time, building confidence along with competence. This isn't just a list of tips; it’s a principled approach that builds a foundation of true understanding.
The conceptual foundations we use are comprehensively described here. We will use them as we tackle a range of topics and systems and will call out their use when appropriate. You can also study them and apply them in your own attempts at simplification.
A Simple Framework
The project contains a large, diverse set of tools, techniques, and knowledge. We need a proven, comprehensive framework to organize it. Our approach is fashioned after a timeless and profoundly effective model for understanding and resolving problems: The Buddha's Four Noble Truths. This framework, born from the pursuit of alleviating suffering, offers a universal method for tackling any challenge.
The Four Noble Truths are typically understood as: 1) The truth of suffering—recognizing that dissatisfaction and suffering are inherent in unawakened life (where he characterized and analyzed suffering in depth); 2) The truth of the origin of suffering —understanding how the causes of suffering have arisen; 3) The truth of the cessation of suffering—recognizing that a solution or end to the problem is possible; and 4) The truth of the path to the cessation of suffering—the way of practice that leads to the end of suffering (here he provided several practical techniques for anyone to pursue).
Consider a mundane problem we encounter in our daily lives—mold in our house. Let’s adapt this four step framework to this problem and we get: 1) What is mold?—where we understand what mold looks like so we can recognize it; 2) What causes mold?—where we understand the various causes leading to mold in a house; 3) Is a solution achievable?—yes, the mold can be removed and the environment restored; and 4) What can be done to eliminate it and prevent a future infection?—where we learn of several tools and techniques we could use to deal with the problem and avoid a recurrence.
Notice how easily we were able to adapt The Buddha’s framework to our problem? Although the bulk of The Buddha’s practical teachings were part of the fourth Noble Truth, he strongly encouraged his followers to study the first three. The fourth Noble Truth—and by extension, the fourth step in any application of this framework—requires dedication, patience, and continuous practice. The first three provide a strong conceptual and philosophical context as they delve into the “What” and "Why” needed to put the "How” of the fourth step in perspective. The first three steps motivate you to stay on the path prescribed by the fourth step.
Motivation is key to successful practice. Rushing to the "How" without this foundational understanding often leads to incomplete solutions or wasted effort.
Having adapted this approach, we employ a parallel four-step framework:
Understanding the "Not Simple" State (The Problem)
Identifying the Causes of "Not Simple" (The Reason)
Envisioning the "Simple" State (The Solution)
Navigating the Path to "Simple" (The How)
Consider Personal Finance, an area many find complex and confusing. To simplify it, we would first seek to Understand the 'Not Simple' State by asking what, precisely, creates the confusion—is it the jargon, the number of choices, or the risk? Next, we’d Identify the Causes, exploring if the problem stems from opaque information or psychological barriers. Our third step, Envisioning the 'Simple' State, would define what a clear, empowering approach to finance might look like. Finally, Navigating the Path to 'Simple' is where we would introduce the tools and strategies to make that vision a reality.
We will consistently apply this four-step framework. For any topic we address, the initial three steps will guide our exploration through the lens of the Three Cs—understanding what makes a system complex, a device complicated, or a product confusing. After envisioning a simpler alternative, we will move to the fourth step. This is where the bulk of our practical work resides: deploying the conceptual tools and simplification techniques to bring actionable clarity to the systems we encounter in our daily lives.
Project Manifesto
The Three Cs affect many areas of life. A Simple Project won’t attempt to address them all. Instead, we’ll focus on fields such as finance, economics, science, technology, and consumer products.
Some domains—like personal relationships—are more delicate and deeply individual. Our connections with ourselves, others, spiritual guides, or deities are too complex for a project like this to treat responsibly. So we won’t try. Still, the ideas and techniques we explore elsewhere may offer helpful parallels. Applying them to your personal life is an exercise we leave to you.
We also steer clear of politics. It’s emotionally charged, deeply personal, and often polarizing—much like religion. Modern media only amplifies these tensions. For that reason, we won’t dive into domestic political debates. Occasionally, though, we may explore high-level international or geopolitical issues where simplification can offer meaningful insight.