What is Simplification?

Simplification is a core practice in the era of Moore’s Law. By focusing on simplification, it enhances efficiency, prioritizes critical issues, and uncovers higher-value solutions in complex and dynamic environments.

Classic Simplification

Focus on the Primary Contradiction

  • Core Idea: Focus on solving “the most important task” and avoid distractions.
  • Common Problems with Multiple Objectives:
    • Chasing easy tasks while ignoring truly valuable creations.
    • Fragmented efforts turn simple problems into complex ones.
    • Difficulty in delegation and implementation reduces team efficiency.
    • Indecisiveness traps people in cycles of hesitation and poor prioritization.

Solve No Difficult Problems, Win First, Fight Later

  • Avoid Problems:
    • Most problems are low-value or even negative-value.
    • Focus on high-value tasks and learn to ignore trivial problems.
  • Avoid Being Forced:
    • Decisions and execution under pressure have a higher risk of failure.
    • Murphy’s Law amplifies complexity and creates vicious cycles.
  • Wait for Favorable Conditions:
    • Watch for market extreme points (dimensional reduction or elevation) to seize clear opportunities.

Eliminate Complexity and Perfectionism

  • Eliminate Complexity: Apply the “KISS” principle (Keep It Simple, Stupid) to streamline tasks and remove redundancies.
  • Eliminate Perfectionism: Perfectionism leads to failure; steady progress and continuous improvement are more important.

Simplification in the Era of Moore’s Law

Extreme Chip Simplification

  • Chip technology relies on large-scale repetition and replication, making simplification critical:
    • Reduce friction to improve production yield.
    • Control costs to enhance cost-effectiveness.

Addition Equals Liability

  • Each additional step magnifies the risks of costs and defects:
    • Simplify processes to reduce long-term complexity and financial burdens.

Make Time Your Ally

  • Simplification turns time into an advantage rather than a burden:
    • Strong personalities tend to “fill in gaps,” adding complexity.
    • Focused minds “remove gaps” to reduce pressure and enhance concentration.

Think Long-Term

  • Use psychological distance to avoid short-term traps:
    • Abstract concepts like time and space to make better long-term decisions.

Tenfold Resources, Half the Effort

  • Concentrate resources on simplified tasks to achieve greater returns with less input:
    • Redefine tasks and align with simplification principles for high returns.

Task Immune System

  • Question whether a task is necessary before simplifying it:
    • Remove unreasonable elements before proceeding with optimization.

Practices and Pitfalls

Rebuilding Mental Strength

  • Recovery Ability: Quickly bounce back from setbacks and maintain composure.
  • Growth Mindset: View failures as learning opportunities and focus on consistent growth.

Common Pitfalls

  • Grand Narratives: Avoid using unrealistic “stories” to obscure the essence of problems.
  • Hindsight Bias: Verifying problems is easier than solving them. Avoid wasting resources on “seemingly rational” directions.

Advanced Simplification in the Era of Moore’s Law

The Future of Violent Computational Leverage

  • AI and computational advancements offer new possibilities for simplification:
    • Leverage computation to unlock higher-dimensional insights, turning “search” into “generation.”

Rebuilding for Tenfold Returns

  • Simplify core issues and redesign solutions with a tenfold perspective:
    • “Tenfold challenges are not necessarily tenfold harder.” — Elon Musk

Conclusion

Simplification is not just a technical philosophy but a core strategy for value creation. By simplifying, individuals and organizations can achieve maximum returns with minimal resources.

Chairman’s evaluation of the philosophy of simplification: “Selfless yet decisive, focusing on major tasks, delegating effectively, perceiving clearly, calculating thoroughly, completing tasks, letting go when necessary.”