Simple things tend to be static and singular. Like Legos.
Complex things tend to be dynamic and multidimensional. Like string theory or genetics.
We run into problems when we either complicate the simple or try to simplify the complex.
Our job is to achieve clarity.
Our work should offer others direct access to both the simple and the complex.
Anything else blocks our work’s ability to connect with others.
When it comes to how we complicate the simple, think gossip.
With gossip, we take something simple (i.e. the truth) and we place a façade over it. We complicate it. Which blocks others' access to it.
We do this when we try to make our creative work look and sound certain ways that aren’t true to our subject or ourselves.
When we try to make the complex simple, we place a façade over something truly complex—the façade of simplicity. Which complicates it. And, like complicating the simple, it blocks others' access to it.
We do this when we buy into those misleading “3 easy steps to success” delusions.
To keep the simple simple, we must cut through the façades blocking our ability to see things as they really are.
Which means, at times, we might find ourselves playing a gadfly. Or even a heretic.
And to make the complex accessible, we must pursue genius.
Think about the times you've found yourself in a conversation with an incredibly smart individual. Without over-simplifying the subject, they have a unique ability to explain complex things in ways that make sense, don’t they?
For those of us who are writers, artists and creative types, we deal with the complex: human emotions, culture, history, myth, psychology and a range of other issues and experiences.
For those of us with a more spiritual approach to existence, we deal with the complex: philosophy, theology, translation, tradition and a range of other beliefs and practices.
And for those of us who run businesses and households, we deal with the complex: time, resource allocation, technology, systems and a range of other components.
We are surrounded by clutter.
We are barraged with spin.
Let's not complicate things.
Instead let's pursue clarity.
Let’s keep the simple simple. And, when able, make the complex accessible.
Questions:
How have you redirected your creative work when you’ve caught it trying to complicate something simple?
And how have you redirected your work after discovering that it over-simplified something truly complex?
I’ve done it! And still catch myself doing it. And, as you might imagine, I’m desperately hoping I didn’t complicate this rather complex subject!
Keitharsis is a blog for creative people. My goal is to help you overcome blocks and burnout that hurt you, your work and your community of supporters.
Another great post that I had to re-read a couple of times to see how I wanted to answer (I guess that would be me making something simple - complex) :-P
I guess for me I would see this the same as "over thinking". If you over think something simple, it turns into a mess, and then you are over explaing things that could have been so simple.
So what do I do to try and redirect this? I try going with the first feeling and thought when writing,and going with the flow, instead of over-thinking and making it into something it's not.
I have caught myself trying to over explain, therefor leading me into a bigger story than it is. I am working on trying to go with my first authentic thought - see? just as I did responding to this.
Posted by: Karen | February 28, 2012 at 03:48 AM
This is something I struggle with...because I really believe that the things that we think are complex are often so much more simple than we think...and the things that seem simple have so many more layers than we expected. I think discovering and unraveling all of that is one of the things I love about writing...I'm not good at it (yet?), but my favorite writers are the ones who are; writers who can take something huge and bring it to a level that I can understand in my own life, writers who can take something like a flower petal and help me see the universe in it.
I just read "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" and I loved the depth that she brought to what seemed, on the surface, like simple moments. Anne Lamott does that for me with her non-fiction.
I wonder if I'm confusing "complexity" and "depth"?
Clearly, this morning, I'm writing this comment from the "make-the-simple-overly-complex" angle!
Posted by: Kim | February 28, 2012 at 06:48 AM
I know EXACTLY what you mean here.
I talk a lot about my faith and there's that tension there for sure. Some things are really simple and should be explained as such. But when the more rich and deep aspects are simplified, they are bastardized. The truly gifted is able to navigate this tension and present this gift to another (to use last week's lesson). :)
Posted by: Tony J. Alicea | February 28, 2012 at 09:56 AM
love the analogy of legos, something that once was simple and now has been made complicated by the company... the kids know better tho. once the adult has painstakingly followed the diagrams and built the kit, the kids play with it, break it, and then use the blocks to build their own creation. how simple it that! vicki :)
Posted by: vicki | February 28, 2012 at 10:08 AM
I catch myself quite bit taking something that is simple and over complicating it. If I try to "pretty" something up the power of the point is sometimes lost. I want to be direct and authentic. And, I know I've also been guilty of taking a complicated subject and trivializing it too. Lots to think about here, Keith. Thanks.
Posted by: Eileen | February 28, 2012 at 10:22 AM
I redirect my creativity by returning to the truth. I'll read several versions of scripture as well as use a Bible dictionary and a study Bible. My best creativity flows from the simple truth.
Posted by: Audra Krell | February 28, 2012 at 12:45 PM
One of the greatest compliments I've received is from a student who said I take the complexity of the scripture and make it accessible to those who don't understand theology.
Posted by: Jason Vana | February 28, 2012 at 12:59 PM
Karen,
My advice is to make craft your ally. Hone. Prune. Sculpt. It takes practice! You can leave in too much clutter. But you can also cut out too much color and texture.
Posted by: Keith Jennings | February 28, 2012 at 02:49 PM
Kim,
How right you are! We tend to inflate the simple to make ourselves look and feel smart. And the process of our creative work eventually gives us access to the complex, which is why I’m such an evangelist for cultivating a rich creative life!
Posted by: Keith Jennings | February 28, 2012 at 02:49 PM
Tony,
Nice connection to gifts! You have the ability to make the complexities of faith accessible. Which is why I love your blog so much!
Keep up the great work!
Posted by: Keith Jennings | February 28, 2012 at 02:50 PM
Vicki,
Ha! My 10- and 7-year-old sons build 1,500+ piece Lego scenes without me. They get mad when I try to help!
You’re right though. Once the original Star Wars or Harry Potter or Batman thingy is built, it is forever disbanded as they integrate the pieces into their own inventions.
Posted by: Keith Jennings | February 28, 2012 at 02:50 PM
Eileen,
I do the exact same thing! I’m constantly stripping my work, then trying new clothes on it. Mostly I get it right, but not always.
Posted by: Keith Jennings | February 28, 2012 at 02:50 PM
Audra,
You touch on something very important! And that is the importance of getting to the root of the subject. All harmony is built on root notes, right? Start with the root, then find beautiful tensions and textures that work with it.
Great comment!
Posted by: Keith Jennings | February 28, 2012 at 02:50 PM
Jason,
That is a huge compliment! You must be spiritually gifted in teaching and/or wisdom.
What I love about that compliment is the word “accessible”. That’s what it’s all about!
Posted by: Keith Jennings | February 28, 2012 at 02:51 PM
When teaching/preaching I've found that the simple point is what matters most.
After spending hours preparing and studying and meditating and writing and analyzing and mulling-over and re-writing and praying... you now have minutes to translate all of it to people who haven't spent more than 30 seconds thinking about what has been consuming you for an entire week and maybe more.
The simple point is what matters.
Strip it down.
Get rid of 99% of the clutter.
The 1% is what people need to hear. It's what they want to hear. It's what they will remember.
Great post, Keith. Thank you!
Posted by: Ryan Tate | February 28, 2012 at 03:19 PM
thank you Keith for the wonderful advice. This was perfect this week, as I struggled last week with exactly what you wrote about! awesome :)
Posted by: Karen | February 28, 2012 at 03:34 PM
Ryan,
Appreciate your comment! Thank you!
For oral communication and most nonfiction, your advice is priceless. For narrative nonfiction, fiction, performance art & visual art, a little extra color and texture can enhance the experience.
But never at the expense of the root idea, story or message!
Posted by: Keith Jennings | February 28, 2012 at 03:51 PM