About the Simple, the "Yes, but" and the BandAiders

The oversimplification trend.

The Simplicity of Simplicity

I can’t think of a better example to show how the concept of simplicity is abused these days. What I’m talking about is what Barney Stinson says about running the NY Marathon in an episode of the series “How I met your mother”.

Honestly, Barney’s inner logic looks flawless.

After the “copy/paste”, here is the BandAid Age

I’m sure you can tell stories about people asking or stating almost impossible things by saying that “it is very simple”. Surprisingly, they looks convinced. How is this possible? How we get here?

For those who do not get the “resilience is futile” quote, it is a revisitation of the “resistance is futile” quote from Star Trek.

It is just me or is increasingly becoming evident that people are engaging less in analytical thinking, perhaps due to the availability of quick answers online? Rather than engaging with complex issues, people may simply trust surface-level answers. Take a second to think about this. Can you agree?

Here it comes the “yes, but…”

Usually, after identifying the faults in a BandAid solution, we suggest a different approach. What happens next is that everything boils down to “yes, but it is NOT easy” and what follows is a long list of facts and motivations and criticalities that makes the alternative “simply” unattainable.

What can We Do?

I think there is a lot we can do. We can truly use our creativity to contrast or, at least mitigate, the effects of BandAid decisions.

How can we work with a BandAiders?

This is another of my experiments. By taking notes in a series of “try and error” I put together a strategy to “tame” BandAid solutions.

it takes time and patience but I believe that the results definitely worth the effort.

I found that it works in the large majority of the cases. When it doesn’t work is because I failed to identify the linchpin or because the other person is not open to go on and, in this case, there is nothing you can do.

Let me be clear, I did and do this not only for the sake of the creative experiment or for pure humanitarian reasons, I do this out of frustration and to try to progress in my projects and work and life staying sane.

Of course, I definitely found myself acting as a BandAider and I may add that I’m the worst kind because I believe I’m a creative person so I can come up with sound reasoning, thus my BandAid is valid.

Well, when this happens, can you be so kind to let me know?

A few links you may like

Hofstede's cultural dimensions theory : explains cultural differences by identifying six key dimensions that influence behaviors, values, and social norms across societies. I find this so interesting and inspiring.

Epicureanism: The Pursuit of Happiness Through Simplicity & Mindfulness : a nice 3 minutes read.

That’s it for this year!

It’s a bit early but I would like take this occasion to heartily thank you for following me, to wish you the best end of this year and to find the optimal conditions to start the new one with enthusiasm and motivation.

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Until next year, take care and be VERY happy!

Mauro

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PS: a kind of Colophon

Just a few words about where you can find some of the things I do/did:

My books
100 + 1 Drawing Ideas: 100 + 1 Drawing Ideas for Sketchnoters and Doodlers
The xLontrax Theory of Sketchnote
Sustainable Development Goals Sketchnote Project (Free ebook)

Phrenville Card Game
Phrenville is a card game. The goal is to challenge the players to draw a city in a specific style by adding elements and features that needs to be “translated” in the city style.

My Classes
Mastering body expression for Sketchnoters (Free)
Sketchnote4Everybody (Skillshare - 30 days free trial)
Make it Visible - Introduce Sketchnotes and Visuals in the Workplace (Skillshare - 30 days free trial)