That some try to commit suicide is not a conflict with the theory, that species are driven by the force to live. I wasn't at the reading, so i don't really know what he was precisly talking about. Maximizing simplicity does not apply with the things one wishes to deal with, but with the understanding of the things one deals with. There are maybe two aspects to this: Scientists big dreams is to find a simple theory. Complex theories are just not beautiful. One can look at the movement of the moon taking the sun or the earth as a reference point. none of the perspectives is better or more true, but the second is much easier for imagination or calculation and is prefered when trying to understand the movement of the moon: a nice beautiful circle. I should not talk for you, I cannot look into your head, but in trying to comprehend none trival or complex music, I would also assume that I would try to map it down on things that I understand. In simplifying things, there is a loss of information, but it helps to see the main thing (what ever one chooses that to be). So with complex music, my attention is flying around, focusing on little details, than back again to the overal impression and I'll finde somehwere that little melodie or whatever. bytheway, there can also be much challange in simplicity. arthur Zach Steiner wrote:
I saw the noble laureate Roald Hoffman speak on a variety of topics from chemistry (his main field) to poetry (he's also published poet) to philosophy and psychology. One statement he made that didn't sit well with me was regarding the innate human desire for simplicity. He contended that humans aesthetically desire, seek out, and try to create simplicity in all things. That simplicity is an overarching principal of organization in our cognitive system, thus our perception. He used a simple melody or a simple molecule as examples of things that, he claims, resonate with all people favorably. That confused me, as I often look for complexity and challenges--particularly in artistic, aesthetic concerns. So my question to everyone is: Do some people actually buck this trend, which I do see in a great many people, or is there actually some underlying need for simplicity at work for those that seek complex or chaotic aesthetics.
Zach