Shane Parrish has this gem of an insight in this week’s edition of his newsletter.
We attach prestige to what mystifies us. Complexity intoxicates both the creator and audience, drugging us with the illusion of wisdom.
I observe this both at work and outside. If I don’t understand it, it must be brilliant. If I create something that no one understand, it will be brilliant. Such is the prevailing, albeit misguided, logic. The value of simplicity consistently outweighs the preference for the complexity.
As a creator, create something that’s easy to understand. As an audience, question what is not easy to understand.