Simplicity

West coast fern.

The Principle of Parsimony

The scientific principle that things are usually connected or behave in the simplest or most economical way, especially with reference to alternative evolutionary pathways.

"Scientists are taught to seek the simpler solution. If there's a choice between two possibilities, they choose the simpler one. Simple solutions are called 'elegant' in science. The beauty of the universe expresses itself in simplicity."

– From Turning to One Another by Margaret Wheatley

I would not give a fig for the simplicity this side of complexity,

but I would give my life for the simplicity on the other side of complexity.

– Oliver Wendell Holmes

PS. One more commencement address: This one was given by Parker Palmer to the graduating class of 2007 at the California Institute of Integral Studies.

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