The Lure of Simplicity

Lou Reed

Being a frustrated rock star who really should have got over it by now, I was daydreaming about the late great Lou Reed recently and his infamous words about the simplicity of the genre: “one chord is fine. Two chords are pushing it. Three chords and you’re into Jazz.”

It got me thinking about simplicity and how, in an increasingly complex world, we’re often drawn to people and solutions that promise simplicity and clarity. From quick-fix diets to political slogans offering easy answers, the appeal of simplicity is hard to resist.

But why is this so? Well, being a mental health clinician, I’m inclined to look to things like psychotherapy and cognitive psychology for reasons why we gravitate toward simple answers—even when they lead to more problems. So here are some insights that may interest the curious among you.

Firstly, simple solutions are appealing so our minds like to take cognitive shortcuts (Heuristics).

Our brains rely on heuristics—mental shortcuts—to make decisions quickly. While efficient, the downside is that these shortcuts can oversimplify complex problems:

• Availability Heuristic: We judge events based on how easily examples come to mind. Simple solutions stick with us because they’re easier to recall.

• Confirmation Bias: We favour information that supports our beliefs, making clear-cut answers feel correct even when they’re not.

  
  

There’s also the emotional appeal as simplicity reduces anxiety by offering a sense of control. In stressful situations, we’re drawn to answers that seem straightforward:

• Miracle cures and get-rich-quick schemes gain traction because they promise fast results.

• Psychologically, this mirrors avoidance behaviour—seeking immediate relief while ignoring root causes.

Does social influence have a part to play? Absolutely, social dynamics further amplify our preference for simplicity:

• Groupthink: Conforming to popular opinions suppresses critical analysis.

• Authority Bias: Simple answers from trusted figures are often accepted without question.

So it seems that there’s a number of processes that seduce us into thinking simplicity is a good idea even though there are negative consequences such as avoiding difficult conversations for short-term gain but which lead to unresolved conflicts and resentment. Or, when we make decisions or instigate policies based on narrow assumptions which only serve to exacerbate inequality and deepen systemic problems. 

When simple solutions fail and a bad situation is made worse, disillusionment and learned helplessness can set in, where people stop trying to solve problems altogether.

Having said all that, it’s not all doom and gloom.  Far from it. We can push back by building a tolerance for complexity using techniques based around:

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Helps develop present-moment awareness and acceptance of uncertainty.

• Reframing: Encourages looking at problems from multiple angles.

• Growth Mindset: Frames challenges as opportunities for learning rather than obstacles.

The lure of simplicity is powerful. To face life’s complexities we need resilience for sure, but above all we need courage.