Simplicity Debate

The cluster revolves around debates on the meaning, value, and application of simplicity in design or software, with users invoking principles like 'as simple as possible, but no simpler' and the KISS principle, often questioning if something is overly simplistic or appropriately straightforward.

➡️ Stable 0.5x Other
3,601
Comments
20
Years Active
5
Top Authors
#4416
Topic ID

Activity Over Time

2007
9
2008
37
2009
79
2010
112
2011
131
2012
118
2013
173
2014
169
2015
166
2016
187
2017
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2018
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2019
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2020
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2021
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2022
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2023
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2024
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2025
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2026
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Keywords

EDIT KISS AI wikipedia.org simple simpler simplicity dead simple complicated clever possible ready franklin dead

Sample Comments

Dylan16807 Oct 31, 2025 View on HN

For what it's for, it's better that it's simple.

Retra May 24, 2015 View on HN

Simple isn't always better.

falcor84 Jul 22, 2025 View on HN

The word "simple" is doing quite a massive amount of work there.

kyleperik Jul 9, 2018 View on HN

Sounds like you're over complicating simplicity

kungtotte Jun 24, 2018 View on HN

Simple and easy aren't the same thing :)

grey_earthling Jan 28, 2024 View on HN

Keep it suitably simple.

robomartin Feb 10, 2020 View on HN

Sometimes simple works just fine...

davidp May 29, 2018 View on HN

As simple as possible, but no simpler.

seanjregan Oct 18, 2018 View on HN

hard to argue with keeping it simple

lfowles Feb 22, 2017 View on HN

Sounds like a misunderstanding of "simple" :)