When asked how to improve things, we always want to add

We say simpler is better, yet we almost always opt for complexity.

The world is a complicated place, as anyone knows if they have experienced updates to smartphones, computer systems, television streaming services or menus at a restaurant. Part of the reason is how we're wired: We make things more complicated.

The human tendency to complicate (or at least add) things is backed by research.

A group of researchers at the University of Virginia published a study in Nature and found that when asked to improve something, people regularly added features, rather than eliminating them. In other words, our default to "fix" things is to add features, not reduce them. (By the way, the University of Virginia is the only one of its type. We have 10 campuses in the University of California system, an example of our desire to add features.)

Researchers examined this tendency in various ways.

For example, when a university president asked for suggestions for improvement, virtually all recommendations were to add things, not eliminate them. When people were given colored squares and asked to make a pattern, most everyone opted to go big. When asked to improve a travel itinerary, people added stops. When asked to make a Lego structure more stable, folks added bricks, rather than removing some. Presumably, if they asked for help to improve a restaurant order, recommendations would be to order more food.

Researchers found this tendency widespread across multiple fields. They found it even in areas where simplicity is urged: including my field, writing, where it’s almost universally recommended to keep things simple and clear. Don’t write 1,200 words to describe something you can handle in 600 words. Don’t write a 15-word sentence that can be written in eight words. Keep it simple.

Since the researchers are human, they of course added something to their research, missing the irony. They experimented to see if adding a reminder that simplification is an option changed things. When participants were reminded of that possibility, they were more likely to consider simplifying. So we’re not dumb, just forgetful.

There are practical implications for all of us. Maybe the best way to improve the interior design of our home is to eliminate, rather than add, items. The best way to improve our diet is to eliminate, not add, foodstuffs. The best way to improve an organization is to reduce layers, not increase them.

This isn’t easy. We want new things. We want more channels. We want additional options. Even though we all say more isn’t better, we make things “better” by adding to them.

Perhaps we should be mindful and look to reduce options. As Leonardo da Vinci once said, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”

I can’t confirm he actually said that, but I searched Google for “simplicity quotes,” found that and added it, because I felt the need to add one more thing to make this column better.

Reach Brad Stanhope at bradstanhope@outlook.com.