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In Pursuit of Elegance: Why the Best Ideas Have Something Missing
What made the Sopranos finale one of the most-talked-about events in television history?Why is sudoku so addictive and the iPhone so darn irresistible?What do Jackson Pollock and Lance Armstrong have in common with theoretical physicists and Buddhist monks?Elegance.In this thought-provoking exploration of why certain events, products, and people capture our attention and imaginations, Matthew E. May examines the elusive element behind so many innovative breakthroughs in fields ranging from physics and marketing to design and popular culture. Combining unusual simplicity and surprising power, elegance is characterized by four key elements—seduction, subtraction, symmetry, and sustainability. In a compelling, story-driven narrative that sheds light on the need for elegance in design, engineering, art, urban planning, sports, and work, May offers surprising evidence that what’s “not there” often trumps what is.In the bestselling tradition of The Tipping Point, Made to Stick, and The Black Swan, In Pursuit of Elegance will change the way you think about the world.
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
January 22, 2018
A good read, excellent ideas. It's worthy of 4 stars as a regular book, but the audio wasn't quite as good since the PDF is needed occasionally & that, unlike the audio book, is tied up under DRM so I couldn't access it. WTF? I found it on Recorded Books' site without any DRM. Oy!
He starts off by defining "elegance" as a quality that contains: symmetry, seduction, subtraction & sustainability. It's pleasing due satisfying our desire for patterns & it often engages our mind by not giving us all the answers, so scratches our curiosity bump. What makes the Mona Lisa so fantastic is the slight blurring of the eyes & mouth so her expression is enigmatic, changing at each look, rather than static. Beethoven doesn't complete the pattern until the last chord, just constantly builds toward it.
Elegance is simple, but simple isn't always elegant. Simple can remove too much which can leave us either frustrated or uninterested, so there's a fine balance. In hindsight, it generally seems obvious & gives the maximum gain for the minimum effort with a sustainable outcome.
There are a lot of examples in the book showing a variety of elegant solutions in everything from music & paintings to architecture & traffic patterns. Some were quite surprising since they go against our nature for action & often are hampered by our brain bugs. He quoted a variety of studies & even allowed the reader to participate in some of them which was quite engaging - rather elegant.
He delves into some Eastern philosophies, examining parts of them in the search of elegance. I was particularly interested in "shibumi", the title of a novel by Trevanian about an assassin. It's the core philosophy of his life, so I found the use of it in construction quite ironic. It epitomizes some of the art of elegance through subtraction, the most economic use of form & function.
There were a lot of ideas that can help in my own life. Not only should I have a To-Do list, but also a Stop-Doing. Possibly move the lower part of the To-Do list to the Forget-About-It pile to free up resources. Look at the forest, not just the elephant in the foreground. How did he get there & where is he going?
I also found that, even though I've never used the word, I've strived for it in many ways. The bowls I turn out of green, found wood are a prime example. I rarely stain or put any decorative touches on them, preferring to create flowing curves & finishes that accentuate the innate beauty of the natural wood.
Elegance is also a term that applies to much of Roger Zelazny's writing. He's long been one of my favorite authors & now I can put a label on the appeal of his work. He doesn't tell the entire story. He tells just enough, hints at more through allusions, but those are often somewhat open to interpretation. The lack of detail intrigues & engages me far more than an overly descriptive story would. For instance, we're never sure if Conrad is just a long-lived mutant or the immortal Pan in This Immortal or possibly some combination. He scoff's at Phil's cyclic history idea, but he's not a particularly reliable narrator & a proven liar.
Interesting & well narrated. Highly recommended, but I think text format might be best.
He starts off by defining "elegance" as a quality that contains: symmetry, seduction, subtraction & sustainability. It's pleasing due satisfying our desire for patterns & it often engages our mind by not giving us all the answers, so scratches our curiosity bump. What makes the Mona Lisa so fantastic is the slight blurring of the eyes & mouth so her expression is enigmatic, changing at each look, rather than static. Beethoven doesn't complete the pattern until the last chord, just constantly builds toward it.
Elegance is simple, but simple isn't always elegant. Simple can remove too much which can leave us either frustrated or uninterested, so there's a fine balance. In hindsight, it generally seems obvious & gives the maximum gain for the minimum effort with a sustainable outcome.
There are a lot of examples in the book showing a variety of elegant solutions in everything from music & paintings to architecture & traffic patterns. Some were quite surprising since they go against our nature for action & often are hampered by our brain bugs. He quoted a variety of studies & even allowed the reader to participate in some of them which was quite engaging - rather elegant.
He delves into some Eastern philosophies, examining parts of them in the search of elegance. I was particularly interested in "shibumi", the title of a novel by Trevanian about an assassin. It's the core philosophy of his life, so I found the use of it in construction quite ironic. It epitomizes some of the art of elegance through subtraction, the most economic use of form & function.
There were a lot of ideas that can help in my own life. Not only should I have a To-Do list, but also a Stop-Doing. Possibly move the lower part of the To-Do list to the Forget-About-It pile to free up resources. Look at the forest, not just the elephant in the foreground. How did he get there & where is he going?
I also found that, even though I've never used the word, I've strived for it in many ways. The bowls I turn out of green, found wood are a prime example. I rarely stain or put any decorative touches on them, preferring to create flowing curves & finishes that accentuate the innate beauty of the natural wood.
Elegance is also a term that applies to much of Roger Zelazny's writing. He's long been one of my favorite authors & now I can put a label on the appeal of his work. He doesn't tell the entire story. He tells just enough, hints at more through allusions, but those are often somewhat open to interpretation. The lack of detail intrigues & engages me far more than an overly descriptive story would. For instance, we're never sure if Conrad is just a long-lived mutant or the immortal Pan in This Immortal or possibly some combination. He scoff's at Phil's cyclic history idea, but he's not a particularly reliable narrator & a proven liar.
Interesting & well narrated. Highly recommended, but I think text format might be best.
November 10, 2010
A book about elegance should be elegant, right? I mostly just found this book to be very tidy. I haven't read any Malcolm Gladwell, but this author seems to be camping under similar stars. I read it in one sitting and liked it. My brain feels, if not reformatted, then carefully adjusted, like I went to the brain chiropractor.
He defines elegance as a quality that falls under four annoyingly alliterative words: symmetry, seduction, subtraction & sustainability. For the rest of the book, pulls various anecdotes from all over the earth, examples of elegance. Some of these examples seem a little dumbdumb, and he marches forward with silly thesis statements, along the lines of "scientists and artists will agree: beauty and truth are beloved for their symmetry." (oh?) He has, unsurprisingly, a fetish for appropriating and clipping up Eastern philosophy and design for our own evil Western ways.
But it absolutely espoused a philosophy I'm down with, mindfulness and so forth. He gave a little elegance test at the end, and I passed it. He manicured some personal behavior patterns I've been trying to mow down, and made me feel like I could be a better person after I was done reading it. A deserved three stars for you, Mr. May. Just no more typos on your book cover and titles like "desperately seeking symmetry", ok?
He defines elegance as a quality that falls under four annoyingly alliterative words: symmetry, seduction, subtraction & sustainability. For the rest of the book, pulls various anecdotes from all over the earth, examples of elegance. Some of these examples seem a little dumbdumb, and he marches forward with silly thesis statements, along the lines of "scientists and artists will agree: beauty and truth are beloved for their symmetry." (oh?) He has, unsurprisingly, a fetish for appropriating and clipping up Eastern philosophy and design for our own evil Western ways.
But it absolutely espoused a philosophy I'm down with, mindfulness and so forth. He gave a little elegance test at the end, and I passed it. He manicured some personal behavior patterns I've been trying to mow down, and made me feel like I could be a better person after I was done reading it. A deserved three stars for you, Mr. May. Just no more typos on your book cover and titles like "desperately seeking symmetry", ok?
February 18, 2010
Interesting book on why we need elegance and how to achieve it. Elegance is defined as "cleverly apt and simple" and is achieved through symmetry, seduction, subtraction, and sustainability. I liked the big idea of the book and enjoyed the many examples, but did not always see the connection between the two.
"The power of elegance is achieved when the maximum impact is exacted with the minimum input." (need to work on my wordiness)
Why we need elegance: "Because by nature we tend to add when we should subtract, and act when we should stop and think. Because we need some way to consistently replace value-destroying complexity with value-creating simplicity. Because we need to know how to make room for more of what matters by eliminating what doesn't." (This is probably the main point I took from the book.)
"The power of elegance is achieved when the maximum impact is exacted with the minimum input." (need to work on my wordiness)
Why we need elegance: "Because by nature we tend to add when we should subtract, and act when we should stop and think. Because we need some way to consistently replace value-destroying complexity with value-creating simplicity. Because we need to know how to make room for more of what matters by eliminating what doesn't." (This is probably the main point I took from the book.)
December 15, 2012
very thought-provoking ideas and insights -- applicable to business model, app, interface, or even artistic design!
Here were my key takeaways:
Key elements of Elegance: Symmetrical, Seductive, Subtractive, Sustainable
- have a Stop-doing List as well as to-do list: eliminate bottom 20% of to-do list forever.
- great art is also composed of what is not in final piece...
- familiarity with a principle means not having to know all of its applications
- difference between East and Western mindset: seeing. Big picture elements vs focus on main subject ("jungle with elephant in it" vs "picture of elephant")
- symmetry: we are natural symmetry seekers, as nature (and science, art) is mostly symmetrical. When we see asymmetry, we naturally want to fill in missing piece.
- seduction: captivates attention and imagination, leading to creative engagement...leave something to imagination and open to imagination creates irresistable aura of mystery...we are curious & drawn to unknown (ex: hidden identity of figure in ad, Sopranos' missing ending, teaser ads/trailers). - brain's satisfaction center is striatum: connected to frontal lobe parts with logical thought and goal-oriented action...releases dopamine for "rush" with puzzle solving
- subtraction: humans naturally hard-wired to hoard, push, collect, add and consume...this is why elegance is elusive (ex: Toyota kaizen, Scion has few base features for more customization, opt-out=higher participation)
- complexity isn't the enemy: elegance is chess, not checkers -- management and exploitation of complexities
- symmetry in nature: fractal patterns, ala Jackson Pollock's paintings. Having patterning in seeming chaotic sequences entices audience to untangle random arrangement, find own meanings and interpretations (ex: Samuel Beckett's "Sans" generated by random patterns)
- subtraction ex: Dutch city of Drachten removing street signs means drivers have to be more aware, present, thinking. Leads to self-organization and more flow vs automation of reliance on signs and constraints. The more we try to control & regulate risk, vs engaging brains and connecting to what is happeneing around us
- better design principal: observe natural order of things 1st (don't assume), then design. Avoid artificial prioritization and trying to control what may already be in balance. Ex: ice-skating rink has no lanes/signs.
- mona lisa is seductive because of sfumato style: in the manner of smoke. More lifelike, deliberately indistinct, open to interpretation. Leave something to imagination! "Confused shapes arouse the mind"
- Zen aesthetic theme: emptiness is spirit of inexhaustible spirit...silent pauses in music and theater, blank space in painting, constrained movement. Power of suggestion is authentic creation, mirroring human nature being indefinable by nature. Supply missing symmetry and allow audience to participate in act of creation.
- curiosity: 1st type is emotional response, instinctive when you see something new, out of ordinary. 2nd type is scientific curiosity, like musical brain responding to discord. Diversive curiosity: human tendency to seek novelty, take risk, seek adventure. Specific curiosity: natural inclination to investigate something in order to understand it.
- primary stimuli to arouse curiosity: complexity, novelty, uncertainty, conflict (violation of expectations). If trigger point too low, no motivation to expore. If too high, result is anxiety and avoidance.
- information-gap theory: we feel deprived when we sense gaps in knowledge in fields we know and care about. Situational determinate: intensity of curiosity about particular missing piece of info is dependent on how well we think it will close the gap we're most interested in; also, we are more curious about a single piece of info if we think it will help solve the problem all at once vs incrementally get us closer to solution. Curiosity also increases with perceived knowledge - the more we know, the more we want to know.
- Seduction strategy: inverted U-shape relationship between level of info provided vs degree of interest generated -- ex: ad for upcoming mystery product. 1) arouse curiosity by demonstarting moderate gap in observer's knowledge. 2) provide just enough info to make them want to resolve curiosity 3) give them time to try to resolve curiosity on their own. Hardest one is giving time for people to resolve own curiosity, but most seductive & interesting: CSI, sudoku -- timing is everything
- human brain is pattern-making, recognizing and locking machine, Tivo-ing every experience and storing as data in brain as additive, cumulative and unedited process. Electrical impulses are sent to nerve cells triggering grouping mechanism, filing new info with other like data creating memories and perceptions. These connections are reinforced over time and become mental models.
- our obliviousness to patterns in our brains is what makes observational comedy so funny: impartial spectator standing outside of ourselves watching ourselves in action, pointing out universal patterns of behaviors and mental models we all share.
- gestalt movement in psych in early 1900s: how we tend to see related parts as a unified whole, vs simple sum of parts - seeking closure (ex: incomplete shape seen as full, or fillng in mssng vowels in sntnce)
- subtraction in action: hidden menu items at In-n-Out allows consumers to create UGC items. CE is good example of self-defeating overkill with feature creep & feature-fatigue. Other examples: aikido, Lance Armstrong's new training technique looking at Power = force x velocity (maxing velocity vs force), FAVI auto parts co having no policy or titles (you only work for your customer- you figure out what is needed for customer. Only customer leader & companion able to perform several different jobs).
- subtraction also works great for architecture & design: ex: Sarah Susanka Not So Big House, studying natural flow of life in a home and optimizing space for flow- build better, not bigger. Japaneses principle of Shibui (quietude, refinement, elegance). Space with time view: connected spaces vs discrete rooms. Varying ceiling heights implies different functional areas. Also using fractal symmetry of squares
- sustainable solutions: people always try to leap to solution itself first, vs observe hidden causes. We tend to rely on mental shortcuts: react vs think. We also have bias for action vs observing and stop-doing. Ex: Genchi Genbutsu (go look and see): manufacturing line solutions better solved by studying local areas (line worker may have better solution suggestion!). Ex: video store problem of rewinding - just tell consumers tapes may need rewinding vs change behavior)
- ask "what is possible?" before "what should we do?" - try to favor incubation vs implementation, allow patience for optimal solution vs fast "good enough".
- Ladder of Inference: we experience one thing and build upon it with our own theories, assumptions, conclusions, and beliefs. As we climb the ladder, we are more abstract in thought and further removed from facts of situation, vulnerable to shortcutting and biases vs optimal action. Immanuel Kant: mind is not built to give raw knowledge of world; we must add our own certain bias to make it meaningful...but these mind sets are hidden, hard to identify, and we defend them subconsciously. We see what we believe
- subject-matter expettise can get in the way of crafting elegant solutions: if you are a hammer, everything looks like a nail. We get blinded to other solutions.
- creative impasse usually reached in 20 minutes on average during brainstorming sessions: top of mind ideas exhausted. Don't just pick best idea - take a break and return to problem later. Also: add more divergent experience and knowledge to the room!
- be a better detective and learn to observe and spot key behaviors and clues-- ex: immerse yourself in your customer's lifestyle before designing product for them (Lexus example, Scion). Ex: Ohno Circle in assembly line: worker stands in circle all day and observes, asking why over and over again.
- creative insights and flashes come from synthesizing connections between seemingly disparate things -- give yourself physical and mental time away from the problem, engage your mind in unrelated activities. Ex: proper sleep promotes likelihood of insights, as does meditation! Brain bundles and repackages memories and fragments of info in hippocampus during sleep, sends to frontal cortex to be synthesized into higher-level thought. Brain clears and reboots itself during sleep, forming new connections & associations.
Here were my key takeaways:
Key elements of Elegance: Symmetrical, Seductive, Subtractive, Sustainable
- have a Stop-doing List as well as to-do list: eliminate bottom 20% of to-do list forever.
- great art is also composed of what is not in final piece...
- familiarity with a principle means not having to know all of its applications
- difference between East and Western mindset: seeing. Big picture elements vs focus on main subject ("jungle with elephant in it" vs "picture of elephant")
- symmetry: we are natural symmetry seekers, as nature (and science, art) is mostly symmetrical. When we see asymmetry, we naturally want to fill in missing piece.
- seduction: captivates attention and imagination, leading to creative engagement...leave something to imagination and open to imagination creates irresistable aura of mystery...we are curious & drawn to unknown (ex: hidden identity of figure in ad, Sopranos' missing ending, teaser ads/trailers). - brain's satisfaction center is striatum: connected to frontal lobe parts with logical thought and goal-oriented action...releases dopamine for "rush" with puzzle solving
- subtraction: humans naturally hard-wired to hoard, push, collect, add and consume...this is why elegance is elusive (ex: Toyota kaizen, Scion has few base features for more customization, opt-out=higher participation)
- complexity isn't the enemy: elegance is chess, not checkers -- management and exploitation of complexities
- symmetry in nature: fractal patterns, ala Jackson Pollock's paintings. Having patterning in seeming chaotic sequences entices audience to untangle random arrangement, find own meanings and interpretations (ex: Samuel Beckett's "Sans" generated by random patterns)
- subtraction ex: Dutch city of Drachten removing street signs means drivers have to be more aware, present, thinking. Leads to self-organization and more flow vs automation of reliance on signs and constraints. The more we try to control & regulate risk, vs engaging brains and connecting to what is happeneing around us
- better design principal: observe natural order of things 1st (don't assume), then design. Avoid artificial prioritization and trying to control what may already be in balance. Ex: ice-skating rink has no lanes/signs.
- mona lisa is seductive because of sfumato style: in the manner of smoke. More lifelike, deliberately indistinct, open to interpretation. Leave something to imagination! "Confused shapes arouse the mind"
- Zen aesthetic theme: emptiness is spirit of inexhaustible spirit...silent pauses in music and theater, blank space in painting, constrained movement. Power of suggestion is authentic creation, mirroring human nature being indefinable by nature. Supply missing symmetry and allow audience to participate in act of creation.
- curiosity: 1st type is emotional response, instinctive when you see something new, out of ordinary. 2nd type is scientific curiosity, like musical brain responding to discord. Diversive curiosity: human tendency to seek novelty, take risk, seek adventure. Specific curiosity: natural inclination to investigate something in order to understand it.
- primary stimuli to arouse curiosity: complexity, novelty, uncertainty, conflict (violation of expectations). If trigger point too low, no motivation to expore. If too high, result is anxiety and avoidance.
- information-gap theory: we feel deprived when we sense gaps in knowledge in fields we know and care about. Situational determinate: intensity of curiosity about particular missing piece of info is dependent on how well we think it will close the gap we're most interested in; also, we are more curious about a single piece of info if we think it will help solve the problem all at once vs incrementally get us closer to solution. Curiosity also increases with perceived knowledge - the more we know, the more we want to know.
- Seduction strategy: inverted U-shape relationship between level of info provided vs degree of interest generated -- ex: ad for upcoming mystery product. 1) arouse curiosity by demonstarting moderate gap in observer's knowledge. 2) provide just enough info to make them want to resolve curiosity 3) give them time to try to resolve curiosity on their own. Hardest one is giving time for people to resolve own curiosity, but most seductive & interesting: CSI, sudoku -- timing is everything
- human brain is pattern-making, recognizing and locking machine, Tivo-ing every experience and storing as data in brain as additive, cumulative and unedited process. Electrical impulses are sent to nerve cells triggering grouping mechanism, filing new info with other like data creating memories and perceptions. These connections are reinforced over time and become mental models.
- our obliviousness to patterns in our brains is what makes observational comedy so funny: impartial spectator standing outside of ourselves watching ourselves in action, pointing out universal patterns of behaviors and mental models we all share.
- gestalt movement in psych in early 1900s: how we tend to see related parts as a unified whole, vs simple sum of parts - seeking closure (ex: incomplete shape seen as full, or fillng in mssng vowels in sntnce)
- subtraction in action: hidden menu items at In-n-Out allows consumers to create UGC items. CE is good example of self-defeating overkill with feature creep & feature-fatigue. Other examples: aikido, Lance Armstrong's new training technique looking at Power = force x velocity (maxing velocity vs force), FAVI auto parts co having no policy or titles (you only work for your customer- you figure out what is needed for customer. Only customer leader & companion able to perform several different jobs).
- subtraction also works great for architecture & design: ex: Sarah Susanka Not So Big House, studying natural flow of life in a home and optimizing space for flow- build better, not bigger. Japaneses principle of Shibui (quietude, refinement, elegance). Space with time view: connected spaces vs discrete rooms. Varying ceiling heights implies different functional areas. Also using fractal symmetry of squares
- sustainable solutions: people always try to leap to solution itself first, vs observe hidden causes. We tend to rely on mental shortcuts: react vs think. We also have bias for action vs observing and stop-doing. Ex: Genchi Genbutsu (go look and see): manufacturing line solutions better solved by studying local areas (line worker may have better solution suggestion!). Ex: video store problem of rewinding - just tell consumers tapes may need rewinding vs change behavior)
- ask "what is possible?" before "what should we do?" - try to favor incubation vs implementation, allow patience for optimal solution vs fast "good enough".
- Ladder of Inference: we experience one thing and build upon it with our own theories, assumptions, conclusions, and beliefs. As we climb the ladder, we are more abstract in thought and further removed from facts of situation, vulnerable to shortcutting and biases vs optimal action. Immanuel Kant: mind is not built to give raw knowledge of world; we must add our own certain bias to make it meaningful...but these mind sets are hidden, hard to identify, and we defend them subconsciously. We see what we believe
- subject-matter expettise can get in the way of crafting elegant solutions: if you are a hammer, everything looks like a nail. We get blinded to other solutions.
- creative impasse usually reached in 20 minutes on average during brainstorming sessions: top of mind ideas exhausted. Don't just pick best idea - take a break and return to problem later. Also: add more divergent experience and knowledge to the room!
- be a better detective and learn to observe and spot key behaviors and clues-- ex: immerse yourself in your customer's lifestyle before designing product for them (Lexus example, Scion). Ex: Ohno Circle in assembly line: worker stands in circle all day and observes, asking why over and over again.
- creative insights and flashes come from synthesizing connections between seemingly disparate things -- give yourself physical and mental time away from the problem, engage your mind in unrelated activities. Ex: proper sleep promotes likelihood of insights, as does meditation! Brain bundles and repackages memories and fragments of info in hippocampus during sleep, sends to frontal cortex to be synthesized into higher-level thought. Brain clears and reboots itself during sleep, forming new connections & associations.
May 12, 2009
I loved “In Pursuit Of Elegance” by Matthew E. May. This book will provide a basis for a whole new kind of thinking. I can not think of an audience that would not benefit from reading this book because it can apply to business, art, home-life, and many other ventures.
One thing I found brilliant about the book is that it doesn’t offer specific steps to follow. This is not a “go and do” kind of book. What is NOT in the book is what makes this powerful (and elegant). May provides many case examples with different perspectives of elegant thinking without telling the reader what do make of them. After reading chapters, I found myself applying the thinking to my own situations. Powerful stuff started popping in my head based on the principles I learned about in the book. This is a highly interactive book if you plan to daydream a little bit after you read it.
I am a big fan of his last book “The Elegant Solution” and noticed a lot of similar ideas and concepts from that book. What the author did was shake loose the Lean/Toyota anchor and make this new book more open and accessible for a wider audience. There is a lot of freedom from that decision that will make this a better book for non-Lean practitioners while still providing relevant thoughts for those who are on the Lean journey.
This book is difficult to explain the highlights because most of them came from my personal application once I understood the concepts explained. What great ideas will come to you while you read the book?
One thing I found brilliant about the book is that it doesn’t offer specific steps to follow. This is not a “go and do” kind of book. What is NOT in the book is what makes this powerful (and elegant). May provides many case examples with different perspectives of elegant thinking without telling the reader what do make of them. After reading chapters, I found myself applying the thinking to my own situations. Powerful stuff started popping in my head based on the principles I learned about in the book. This is a highly interactive book if you plan to daydream a little bit after you read it.
I am a big fan of his last book “The Elegant Solution” and noticed a lot of similar ideas and concepts from that book. What the author did was shake loose the Lean/Toyota anchor and make this new book more open and accessible for a wider audience. There is a lot of freedom from that decision that will make this a better book for non-Lean practitioners while still providing relevant thoughts for those who are on the Lean journey.
This book is difficult to explain the highlights because most of them came from my personal application once I understood the concepts explained. What great ideas will come to you while you read the book?
July 31, 2015
Anyone who has enjoyed Malcolm Gladwell's The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference and Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking will love May's book on what makes great ideas so great. I lost track of all the fascinating things I learned while reading this, from street design to abstract painting to advertising campaigns.
June 3, 2024
One of my very favorite books is a fable called Shibumi, by Matthew E May. It is an actionable fable that I reread frequently.
Many of the topics introduced in Shibumi go much deeper here. This is more of a research based book on how simplicity and elegance can lead to much better problem solving.
The author uses a combination of research and personal experience to describe and discuss what Elegance is and what an elegant solution requires.
Much of the research that he discusses our stories I have heard in the past and other books or articles I have chosen to read, so although they are not new to me, they highlight the topics he is looking to discuss.
I will want to reread this book again when I'm looking for a book on Zen or enlightenment I think the topics that the author discuss and the way he discusses it are very enlightening. I think my own mind was hoping it was more like a fable because of my preconceived notion of how the author wrote one of my favorite books. I think it's like everything else when the student is ready the teacher will appear.
Many of the topics introduced in Shibumi go much deeper here. This is more of a research based book on how simplicity and elegance can lead to much better problem solving.
The author uses a combination of research and personal experience to describe and discuss what Elegance is and what an elegant solution requires.
Much of the research that he discusses our stories I have heard in the past and other books or articles I have chosen to read, so although they are not new to me, they highlight the topics he is looking to discuss.
I will want to reread this book again when I'm looking for a book on Zen or enlightenment I think the topics that the author discuss and the way he discusses it are very enlightening. I think my own mind was hoping it was more like a fable because of my preconceived notion of how the author wrote one of my favorite books. I think it's like everything else when the student is ready the teacher will appear.
July 25, 2010
I checked out the audio form of this book from the library quite by chance, and was pleasantly surprised by the premise and breadth of material for his chosen topic. He talks about four key elements of elegance: seduction (appealing to the senses), subtraction (keeping to the minimum but still achieving effectiveness), symmetry (necessary for all beauty) and sustainability. I slipped it in on a recent long drive thinking I would just listen to "some of it" but it kept my interest arrested all the way to the end...I guess he achieved Elegance in his work. :-)
October 24, 2009
“In Pursuit of Elegance is a fascinating intellectual romp that will change the way you look at your surroundings. As he takes readers from Jackson Pollock paintings to Dutch intersections to the secret menu at In-N-Out Burger, Matt May reveals the hidden elements beneath genuine innovation. This book is surprising, compelling, and, yes, extremely elegant.”
—Daniel H. Pink, author of A Whole New Mind and The Adventures of Johnny Bunko
—Daniel H. Pink, author of A Whole New Mind and The Adventures of Johnny Bunko
December 1, 2010
For those who already knew that less is more, but couldn't pinpoint exactly why. Anecdotes on a variety of topics from traffic to video rentals show how Daoist principles such as "wu-wei" (doing by non-doing) can be applied (or non-applied) to modern life. A fascinating Gladwell-esque companion to the Dao De Jing, Chuang Tzu, Book of Tea, Science of Happiness, etc.
June 5, 2025
The book is not a step-by-step guide to achieving elegant solutions, but rather a case for why subtraction and thoughtful design can lead to breakthroughs. It's a s read for anyone interested in innovation, problem-solving, design thinking, and the underlying principles that make certain ideas truly resonate. I like the way it pinpoints four key characteristics of elegance:
Seduction: The ability to capture attention and imagination.
Subtraction: The strategic removal of unnecessary elements.
Symmetry: A harmonious balance and often, an underlying order.
Sustainability: The enduring quality and longevity of the idea or design.
There were some great examples from both West and Eastern worlds to show case what "elegant solutions" look like and my favorite would be double clay pots solution in Nigeria ( pot-in-pot refrigerator or Zeer pot) that can help preserving food, giving extra income to local people, empowering women who now does not need to walk to market to sell their products they can sell it at home now and also freeing young girls (young labour) so they can go to school! super efficient but simple solution!
Seduction: The ability to capture attention and imagination.
Subtraction: The strategic removal of unnecessary elements.
Symmetry: A harmonious balance and often, an underlying order.
Sustainability: The enduring quality and longevity of the idea or design.
There were some great examples from both West and Eastern worlds to show case what "elegant solutions" look like and my favorite would be double clay pots solution in Nigeria ( pot-in-pot refrigerator or Zeer pot) that can help preserving food, giving extra income to local people, empowering women who now does not need to walk to market to sell their products they can sell it at home now and also freeing young girls (young labour) so they can go to school! super efficient but simple solution!
September 30, 2024
This short book helped me to better understand the Essence of Elegance.
Elegance is a harmonious blend of symmetry, seduction, subtraction, and sustainability. It's about creating a sense of balance and order that is visually appealing and intuitively pleasing, while also captivating and intriguing the observer. By removing unnecessary elements, we can achieve clarity and simplicity, and by focusing on long-term value, we can avoid unnecessary complexity or excess.
To cultivate elegance, we must prioritize tasks effectively, understand cultural differences in problem-solving, leverage our natural inclination towards symmetry, and create intrigue through strategic information gaps. It is essential to simplify processes and designs, recognize the power of observation and curiosity, and be aware of the biases that can influence our decision-making. By taking breaks, observing behaviors, and connecting seemingly unrelated ideas, we can foster creativity and generate innovative solutions. In essence, elegance is about creating solutions that are not only visually appealing but also effective, efficient, and sustainable. By understanding and applying these principles, we can elevate our work and achieve lasting impact.
Elegance is a harmonious blend of symmetry, seduction, subtraction, and sustainability. It's about creating a sense of balance and order that is visually appealing and intuitively pleasing, while also captivating and intriguing the observer. By removing unnecessary elements, we can achieve clarity and simplicity, and by focusing on long-term value, we can avoid unnecessary complexity or excess.
To cultivate elegance, we must prioritize tasks effectively, understand cultural differences in problem-solving, leverage our natural inclination towards symmetry, and create intrigue through strategic information gaps. It is essential to simplify processes and designs, recognize the power of observation and curiosity, and be aware of the biases that can influence our decision-making. By taking breaks, observing behaviors, and connecting seemingly unrelated ideas, we can foster creativity and generate innovative solutions. In essence, elegance is about creating solutions that are not only visually appealing but also effective, efficient, and sustainable. By understanding and applying these principles, we can elevate our work and achieve lasting impact.
January 4, 2019
My reading experience here is unquestionably coloured by the fact that I bought this book expecting (marketing much?) it will be in the vein of Malcolm Gladwell's writing. Which it, at least on some level, tried to be. Still, it is more business-oriented than general-knowledge-oriented. I have learnt a few new things, so I'm not mad at myself for having ordered this rather slim volume, but had I known what I'm getting, I would have spent it on something else.
Also - for those who care - the six-line 'foreword' by Guy Kawasaki is a joke.
Also - for those who care - the six-line 'foreword' by Guy Kawasaki is a joke.
August 1, 2018
Sometimes less is really more. May made me realise the principles of elegance in our daily lives when leaving out particular bits of information entices the intended audience even more. His four golden rules of symmetry, seduction (by nothing; the element of mystery and one's own participation to complete the picture), subtraction and sustainability are truly sublime.
August 19, 2024
I enjoyed the book and its ideas. Its a deeper meditation of what elegant solutions are. I read books like this for overall inspiration rather to learn practical steps. What stood out for me was the idea of subtraction, taking away rather than adding (ideas/solutions) when trying to solve a problem. I also enjoyed the holistic idea of what sustainability and elegant solutions are.
December 13, 2019
Another one of those books I will need to buy a copy for my library. Sociological in nature, it delves into the empty spaces that defines events, art, and relationships. Taking things away as being possibly more important than what is added or defined.
November 6, 2017
Matthew May, always driving leaders to the elegantly simply solution.
March 13, 2018
It’s a book that makes you think.
November 11, 2018
I found it interesting at first but it began to drag half way through the book. It did not offer me something new to chew on.
June 25, 2019
Had some really good points but dragged a ton. Took me a while to read
November 18, 2019
It's an excellent read for those that want to learn the intrecacies and elements of elegance.
May 3, 2020
This is such a great book!
July 9, 2024
This is a good book. The end is a bummer because it just talks about meditation. Everything beforehand is good
Read
August 5, 2024This book has some similarities to The Undoing Project, but I found it less enjoyable. I think this is because, in The Undoing Project, Michael Lewis made a point to tell the story of Kahneman and Tversky, both individually and as a unit. While both of these books highlighted somewhat similar concepts (appear in everyday life, ties to psychology/evolution/nature, relatively simple, can be boring in an academic context if poorly framed/discussed, but can be meaningful if applied to situations deemed relevant to the audience (in this case, me)), In Pursuit of Elegance fell short in comparison to The Undoing Project because it was not rooted in a person or a relationship. Anchoring a lesson to a person or relationship makes it more memorable for me. For example, I would likely remember more about the French Revolution in a class called The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte or The Life of Marie Antoinette than in a class called Late 1700s France and Its First Major Revolution. I did enjoy some of the anecdotes including those about Jackson Pollack and fractals, string theory, Sarah Susanka and the Not so Big House, Nigeria and the pot-in-pot solution, and dealing with un-rewinded VCRs at a video store. The four main points to having an elegant idea or solution according to May are symmetry, seduction, subtraction, and sustainability. But really, the takeaway is: to make your ideas/solutions/interactions more "elegant," one can 1. leverage the brain's desire to fill patterns/leaving people wanting more and 2. be aware/not on autopilot and invite/force others to do the same when engaging with your solution/idea.
March 29, 2013
A book about elegance - mostly in a business context.
Matthew May begins by giving lots of examples of elegant ideas, that is, ideas that are simple, symmetric and powerful - and that in most cases reduce complexity rather than increasing it. Factories in the US, Europe and Japan that went from money-losing to money-making by cutting out bureaucracy and radically reducing the number of job titles. Apple's relentless removal of 'indispensable' features, like keypads on the iPhone, and its surprisingly minimalist marketing campaigns. A Nobel-prize winning way to keep vegetables fresh in the African desert with nothing but two clay pots and a towel. Jackson Pollock's paintings, which, when analyzed, reveal mathematically perfect and astonishingly simple fractal patterns.
It turns out that curiosity is one key to elegance. You usually need to leave something to the imagination - otherwise people lose interest, lose focus and won't engage with your product or initiative.
May says that out that our brains' instinctive "gap filling" and "bias for action" prevent us from finding elegant answers. We fail to think about the assumptions or causes which underlie our problems.
How can we find elegant answers more often? Studies show that, paradoxically, we come up with elegant ideas in 'aha!' type moments that follow a relaxed detachment and/or taking a break. The key is to try and be in an 'in the zone'-type state of mind, like that of a pro athlete: confident, yet neither over-thinking nor under-thinking a problem.
Matthew May begins by giving lots of examples of elegant ideas, that is, ideas that are simple, symmetric and powerful - and that in most cases reduce complexity rather than increasing it. Factories in the US, Europe and Japan that went from money-losing to money-making by cutting out bureaucracy and radically reducing the number of job titles. Apple's relentless removal of 'indispensable' features, like keypads on the iPhone, and its surprisingly minimalist marketing campaigns. A Nobel-prize winning way to keep vegetables fresh in the African desert with nothing but two clay pots and a towel. Jackson Pollock's paintings, which, when analyzed, reveal mathematically perfect and astonishingly simple fractal patterns.
It turns out that curiosity is one key to elegance. You usually need to leave something to the imagination - otherwise people lose interest, lose focus and won't engage with your product or initiative.
May says that out that our brains' instinctive "gap filling" and "bias for action" prevent us from finding elegant answers. We fail to think about the assumptions or causes which underlie our problems.
How can we find elegant answers more often? Studies show that, paradoxically, we come up with elegant ideas in 'aha!' type moments that follow a relaxed detachment and/or taking a break. The key is to try and be in an 'in the zone'-type state of mind, like that of a pro athlete: confident, yet neither over-thinking nor under-thinking a problem.
August 3, 2010
A key theme in the book is that often elegance comes from what you take out rather than keep adding on.
Some interesting thoughts:
1.) What's a free way that an old VHS video store could guarantee that all tapes are rewound? (hint: "be kind, please rewind" stickers and incentive programs didn't work.. additionally tape rewinding machines aren't free)
2.) Imagine letters are made up of sticks. What's the fewest number of sticks you need to move to make this Roman numeral equation true: "XI + I = X" (hint: it's not one)
3.) In & Out is a popular burger place because its published menu is so small, yet their available options are immense.
4.) The author claimed that there wasn't conclusive evidence that traffic lights improved safety and cited examples where accidents dropped during power outages.
Some interesting thoughts:
1.) What's a free way that an old VHS video store could guarantee that all tapes are rewound? (hint: "be kind, please rewind" stickers and incentive programs didn't work.. additionally tape rewinding machines aren't free)
2.) Imagine letters are made up of sticks. What's the fewest number of sticks you need to move to make this Roman numeral equation true: "XI + I = X" (hint: it's not one)
3.) In & Out is a popular burger place because its published menu is so small, yet their available options are immense.
4.) The author claimed that there wasn't conclusive evidence that traffic lights improved safety and cited examples where accidents dropped during power outages.
August 14, 2012
This is not a step by step book to creating elegant solutions or products. Rather, it presents a compelling argument on why subtraction can lead to elegance. Why doing nothing is so difficult for humans and organizations but is many times the right thing "to do". Why in-action or restraining your brain from wanting to add can lead to breakthroughs in elegant design.
The author works hard to give examples from a wide range of disciplines. Because of this broad stroke of the brush, the only complaint would be that he does not delve deep enough into some of these examples. But by leaving some space, it made me want to dig deeper into some of the examples. Engaging a readers curiosity to seek more is exactly what elegance is all about. And I think the author balanced this perfectly.
The author works hard to give examples from a wide range of disciplines. Because of this broad stroke of the brush, the only complaint would be that he does not delve deep enough into some of these examples. But by leaving some space, it made me want to dig deeper into some of the examples. Engaging a readers curiosity to seek more is exactly what elegance is all about. And I think the author balanced this perfectly.
June 3, 2009
This was wide-ranging and very interesting, although I think it's possible that May has given some odd significance to events. For example, his use of the example of what happens at busy intersections if traffic signals and signs are eliminated, to me shows not "symmetry" but libertarianism. :-) But still, how can you not love a book that manages to tie together neuroscience, cycling, Jackson Pollock, traffic patterns, architecture, the iPhone, fractals and the Sopranos? Fun and interesting view, just too bad that the author apparently intends the book to be primarily used in business settings.
May 15, 2012
A nice (I suppose you could say elegant) little book about why less often is more. Anecdotal, well-written, with at least some examples I found very interesting (the "shared space", rule-free concept of traffic regulation exemplified in the Laweiplein crossing - see it on Youtube - for example, as well as the Nigerian clay pot vegetable coolers,) some I found rather repetitious (the iPhone's elegant simplicity) and others done better elsewhere (Christopher Alexander's pattern language approach to architecture.)
Much to like, some to admire, and the book is summed up in the four elements of elegance: Symmetry, seduction, subtraction and sustainability. A nice little read, recommended.
Much to like, some to admire, and the book is summed up in the four elements of elegance: Symmetry, seduction, subtraction and sustainability. A nice little read, recommended.
July 29, 2010
A little disappointing. Not a bad read, and many of the anecdotes were interesting, but that's as far as it goes. I didn't find that there was a unifying theme threading between the stories - many of the ideas didn't seem to have obvious elegance or even anything missing. For example, the factory without an HR department - I guess it's missing an HR department, but it's not missing the HR role - they just moved it around. It's perhaps not a bad idea, but I think the story glossed over was was probably a complicated transition in the interest of presenting an "elegant, simple solution".
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