The shortest distance between two points is under construction.
—Anonymous
26
Seek simplicity, and distrust it.
—Alfred North Whitehead, 1919
I’m suspicious of anyone who has a strong opinion on a complicated issue.
—Scott Adams, 2007
Nothing is as simple as we hope it will be.
—Jim Horning
27
The Lord God is subtle, though not malicious.
—Albert Einstein, 1946
I have yet to see any problem, however complicated, which, when you looked at it in the
right way did not become still more complicated.
28
—Poul Anderson, 1969
It’s so much easier to suggest solutions when you don’t know too much about the problem.
—Malcolm Forbes, 1978
– Not every problem has a good solution.
– Every solution has side effects.
—Dan Geer, 2007
If a problem has no solution, it may not be a problem, but a fact - not to be solved, but to be
coped with over time.
—Shimon Peres, 2001
If a problem does not have a technical solution, it must not be a real problem. It is but an
illusion […], a figment born of some regressive cultural tendency.
—Theodore Roszak, 1969
There is nothing more permanent than a temporary solution.
—Russian proverb
29
***
Believe those who are seeking the truth. Doubt those who find it.
—André Gide, 1952
26
This popular joke is frequently attributed to either Leo Aikman or some Noelie Altito, but I was
unable to confirm either of these authorships, and even to identify the latter person.
27
The (undated) title of one of his blogs.
28
The so-called Anderson’s Law.
29
Adjusted (in 1980) by Milton Friedman to describe “temporary” government programs.
12
On Discoveries, Problems, and Solutions
—Anonymous
26
Seek simplicity, and distrust it.
—Alfred North Whitehead, 1919
I’m suspicious of anyone who has a strong opinion on a complicated issue.
—Scott Adams, 2007
Nothing is as simple as we hope it will be.
—Jim Horning
27
The Lord God is subtle, though not malicious.
—Albert Einstein, 1946
I have yet to see any problem, however complicated, which, when you looked at it in the
right way did not become still more complicated.
28
—Poul Anderson, 1969
It’s so much easier to suggest solutions when you don’t know too much about the problem.
—Malcolm Forbes, 1978
– Not every problem has a good solution.
– Every solution has side effects.
—Dan Geer, 2007
If a problem has no solution, it may not be a problem, but a fact - not to be solved, but to be
coped with over time.
—Shimon Peres, 2001
If a problem does not have a technical solution, it must not be a real problem. It is but an
illusion […], a figment born of some regressive cultural tendency.
—Theodore Roszak, 1969
There is nothing more permanent than a temporary solution.
—Russian proverb
29
***
Believe those who are seeking the truth. Doubt those who find it.
—André Gide, 1952
26
This popular joke is frequently attributed to either Leo Aikman or some Noelie Altito, but I was
unable to confirm either of these authorships, and even to identify the latter person.
27
The (undated) title of one of his blogs.
28
The so-called Anderson’s Law.
29
Adjusted (in 1980) by Milton Friedman to describe “temporary” government programs.
12
On Discoveries, Problems, and Solutions