Adding is favoured over subtracting in problem solving

Simplicity is difficult because most of us are overcompensating for uncertainty. Adding something is easy. But removing something is hard, because it requires conviction. It’s easier to hedge against uncertainty, entertain multiple paths, and dilute your focus than to develop a strong opinion about what to exclude.

Additive ideas come to mind quickly and easily, but subtractive ideas require more cognitive effort. Because people are often moving fast and working with the first ideas that come to mind, they end up accepting additive solutions without considering subtraction at all.

we need to go from thinking add  or  subtract to thinking add  and  subtract. The add  or  subtract framing forces us to try and resolve an apparent contradiction. If A is true, then not-A must be false. If I like subtracting, then I must not like adding. Resolving contradiction is not a bad thing. Doing so has aided r

... See more