We can see a roof that's supported by a sole pillar in the corner. If you had to place a large brick on top of the structure without it falling and crushing the figurine standing underneath, what change would you make to the structure?
If you're like most people, you'd add extra pillars to help support the roof. But the cheapest solution would be to just remove the pillar that's already there. If the roof rested on the base, it could support the weight of the brick more easily and more efficiently.
In a series of experiments conducted by science journal Nature, researchers found that people opted for changes that involve adding components rather than subtracting them. The issue is not that people prefer these kinds of additive changes.
It's that they never considered removing components in the first place.
When you look back at the lego structure, if you didn't opt to remove the existing block, it's probably because you didn't think you were allowed to. When the researchers explicitly mentioned subtractive solutions as an option or gave the participants time to reflect on various possibilities, the participants were more likely to opt for a subtractive solution.
Our minds intuitively form strategy by thinking "what can I add here?" Even when we do consider a subtractive solution, it often feels less creative than additive solutions.
In the world of innovation, this means we're often adding complexity to processes that are best made simple. When short-form streaming platform Quibi launched to disappointing enthusiasm, the company responded by raising more funding (from $1 billion to $1.75 billion) and using that extra money to add unnecessary features. They didn’t consider simply removing the features that were a letdown to their audience. Within 8 months, the app failed.
The solution is often as simple as explicitly considering subtractive solutions when making a decision. Where in your life are you adding unnecessary layers of complexity?
More from Nature here.
