simplicity

Practice 18

Have Empathy for Things

Everyone has a relative who has a might-makes-right approach to the physical world. If a key doesn’t turn in a lock, turn it harder until it breaks off. If the car won’t start, run the battery flat trying to force it to. If the jar won’t open, bend the tip of your favorite knife trying to pry it. (Do I sound a little bitter? I liked that knife…)

These people seem to lack the ability (or will) to think of themselves as part of a system, where the physical thing they’re working on has its own constraints and preferred way of doing things. They don’t think, “Could this be the wrong key? Maybe it’s upside down?” or “Why doesn’t the car start? What am I forgetting?” or “What other way do jars open? Should I try ...