In Search of Subtle Thinking In Complexity

Often we come across situations that make our thinking process start to evaporate to some other dimensions/ directions which could lead to hallucination in the process of thinking.

The word hallucination here refers to our false perception and inability to see complexity/ simplicity due to our own/others’ biases in the process of thinking. Therefore, the whole experience of seeing complexity/ simplicity can be overwhelming.

To understand the whole process we need to take our thinking to a subtle level where we can observe the complexity in simplicity as well as simplicity in complexity. You might be wondering about the words “Complexity/ Simplicity” and might be interested to know what complexity/ Simplicity feels, looks, tastes, and smells like.

Well, when humans need to understand things at the system level where multiple things are dependent as well as independent of visible and invisible environments/ situations, then it is true to admit that we are dealing with complexity. On the other hand, being aware of the complexity is simplicity.

Subtle thinking could truly be an amazing gift that humans, in our case designer/ researcher, could leverage to bisect complex environments/systems.

You might be curious to know what subtle thinking feels, looks, tastes, and smells like.

It is just a thought that can make us feel curious to comprehend the complexity. But it has the risk of our/others’ bias and can be easily mixed with memory-based thoughts. The speed at which human thinks (mainstream thoughts based on the memory/ surrounding )is enormously fast and make it difficult to keep pace with subtle waves (being aware of present).

Let us understand it with the help of an example.

Scenario: A company would like to create a platform that can spin products when the situation/ environment changes for their customers and consumers.

At least for me, it is complex scenario and my thought would definitely scatter and spill all over the place until I hold them in the form of self enquiries/ questions.

1. Why would the platform need to spin products?
2. How would multiple products come from a single platform?
3. What type of product this platform could produce?
4. A Platform could be a Kitchen that could use the various components of the kitchen to make different types of cuisine
5. Who would create, use and maintain the platform?
6. Will customers/ consumers use the products created by the platform? What if they don’t? and Why?
7. How much do we have? What do we know about it already?
8. Are we sure about the technology, and viability of the platform?
9. How about the desirability?
10. Am I making sense to enquire about all the above curiosity? Did I miss something/ someone to connect with?

As we break the complexity of the situation/ environment in the forms of questions/ self enquiry, we can realize the taste of simplicity in complexity waiting to unfold its mystery.

Each question will open up opportunity to further deep dive, all we need to remember is what was our first question and what have we learned so far. In this way we could keep observe on our thinking pattern. Here, I would like to tell, do not try to control thinking rather observe it, you would be amazed by your own capabilities.

As we observe our subtle thoughts mixing into our mainstream thoughts, we could realize complexity is a myth in search of simplicity and simplicity is nothing but realizing complexity.

Originally published on Medium: https://medium.com/@ravindersinghdesign/in-search-of-subtle-thinking-in-complexity-1054ea2edbf3