Γράφει ο Δημήτρης Σουκέρας
Living in a non-existing simplicity of Our Complex World: The Germanwings
Accident Case
It is Rick Riordan at the Lightning Thief (2005) who argued that “It's funny how humans can wrap their
mind around things and fit them into their version of reality.” This quote brings in mind that reality is
made out of a thoughts mechanism that fits in the purposes of humans’ brain function. And how this
function looks like?
Unfortunately, humans from the early years carry on a never ceasing need, to see around them, just
the simplicity, or alternatively to cutting down complexity into small pieces in order to cope with it, as
they were brought up that way and they constantly fail to capture the big picture over the parts that
consist the puzzle.
Training from the early stages of age pushes humanity to accept the simple over the complex. “Life is
really simple, but we insist on making it complicated”, as had been said by Confucius. “Any darn fool
can make something complex; it takes a genius to make something simple”, according to the words of
Pete Seeger.
Another reality shows that simplicity is heavily being promoted while complexity in thinking is
adversely being treated. “People often associate complexity with deeper meaning, when often after
precious time has been lost, it is realized that simplicity is the key to everything”, Gary Hopkins
submits other an example in favour to that opinion. All that mistreatment to complexity leads people
think that either complexity does not exist or if it exists, can always be described, by dividing the
whole into parts.
Why Simplicity is Popular?
People typically assume great personal responsibility for the outcomes of their actions. They have
learned to do so since birth and even get trained to carry this responsibility, and are generally quite
proud of it. As they think that they have the authority and the ability they just mingle into an illusion of
omnipotence.Sticking to simplicity for solving all their problems they accept that all failures are an
aberration, a temporary hiccup in an otherwise smoothly performing world.
Nothing more fundamental, or more expensive, needs be changed. How cheap a solution, a good start
to saving face. Systemic problems do not exist, on the contrary we only have local glitches in an
otherwise smooth operation. Nothing much needs change. We are always capable of doing something
about our problems. We are always competent of taking positive action.
The Bad Apple Theory
The prevailing ideas for simplicity against complexity are the main reasons for the proliferation of “Bad
Apple Theory” supporters, as Sidney Dekker (2006) into his book (The Field Guide to Understanding
Human Error) argues, still existing in greater numbers, forming a majority that rules and governs our
world.
The theory maintains that:
Complex systems would be fine, were it not for the erratic behaviour of some unreliable people (Bad
Apples) in it;Human Errors cause accidents: humans are the dominant contributor to more than thirds
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