The Untapped Potential of Less

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Tim Harford considers ‘addition by subtraction’—the idea that removing items is a neglected way of improving things. Anyone who has sent a paper for comments with the note that ‘it’s already too long, so suggestions on what to excise are very welcome’ will know that the vast majority of replies nevertheless suggest additions rather than deletions.

Economics & Marginalia: February 2, 2024 | Center For Global ...

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Yet, there is immense power in improvement by subtraction - an idea called via negativa. Consider that a clear mind is one without distraction. Clear writing is that which removes redundancies and clutter to make room only for the essential. And a good diet removes processed foods, sugar, and oth

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via negativa

It inspired him to take a closer look at what he calls subtraction neglect, the seemingly universal human tendency to favor adding over subtracting when confronted with solving a problem.

- Leidy Klotz

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It is so full that improvement can often be gained only by subtracting. Keep removing, until you can’t. End with wanting more, not less.

Kevin Kelly • Excellent Advice for Living: Wisdom I Wish I'd Known Earlier

Breaking through to a better idea by subtraction, rather than addition, is the most satisfying kind of breakthrough.

-Jason Fried

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Some of the best work I've ever been a part of happened when we chose particular things we weren't going to do — when we intentionally blocked specific paths for ourselves for some cost/benefit/time balance. Boundaries allow us to focus on fewer possibilities and give greater useful, serious attention to fewer options. We can strongly consider 10 a

Coleman McCormick • Embrace Constraints

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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.

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