Dave Thomas has a new book out titled “Simplicity.”.
This book has many timeless, great ideas.
The book has four parts:
- Simplify what you do and how you do it.
- Simplify your environment.
- Simplify your interactions.
- Simplify your code.
Dave’s thoughts on meetings are refreshing: “Meetings are inefficient, unfair, disruptive, and expensive.” He then asks the question: “Are there other, more efficient ways, of getting the same benefits?” He does have some ideas if you have to have a meeting:
• having a clear objective
• verifying that a meeting is needed
• preparation
• selecting attendees
• scheduling
• direction
• wrap up and follow up
The programming section has some helpful thoughts on data-driven code.
Simplicity is an important value of mine and Dave summarizes the concept well:
Simplicity is the essence of clarity, minimalism, and ease. It means stripping away the unnecessary to reveal what truly matters. In the design of physical things, it’s about clean lines and intuitive function. In life, it’s about focusing on what’s meaningful and eliminating distractions. In code, it’s all of these.
Simplicity is not simple—it’s intentional, refined, and effective. It brings peace, efficiency, and elegance.
Simplicity is not absolute. What is simple to one person may not be to another. What is simple for someone might not have been simple for them last year.