this post was submitted on 24 Jul 2025
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In any problem, every solution that works is a solution, but not every solution is of equal value. In math we use the word "Elegant : Characterised by minimalism and intuitiveness while preserving exactness and precision. " To describe solutions that work well, are concise, and don't add pain.
Jigsaw puzzle analogy: If you have a puzzle with one piece missing, there are at least a hundred things you can use that will fill that space .. sawdust, sand, play-doh, cement, but the most elegant solution, is the puzzle piece made to go there.
With tech, its just more complex- we don't create solutions in a vacuum ( a world by themselves ), they have to exist and mesh with a preexisting world. We call those limits constraints. And the problem with tech is that often the people who create the technology ignore (don't care much about) the constraints.
Inventor: Can we do xyz with cameras? Society: And not let them be used for evil? Inventor: Not my problem.
Its easy to solve problems: the cat is sick. kill the cat. people: No that's awful. inventor: but it did solve the cat problem.
Solving problems in a way that meshes well with the world is not easy. And our inventors are at the moment, shortsighted and greedy.