Extreme minimalism and extreme simplicity as the driver of innovation, growth, and strength?
For example:
- Shaved/flush door handles on Tesla, and also “subtracting”the engine, transmission in lieu of the much flatter battery and electric drive module (skateboard design) which sits on the bottom. Allows for more innovation with interior design (note how much more minimal, spacious, and innovative Tesla Model 3 design has without the necessity of a front, mid, or rear engine).
- Going to the gym without headphones or music: Less time wasted shuffling through playlist to get optimal song to workout to. Also, fewer things you must carry on the way to the gym, less mania in the morning when getting ready to (quickly) get to the gym.
- No soles and cushioning on shoes: Makes stronger feet. In praise of “water shoes”or the Vibram styled shoes with no sole. No sole also better for powerlifting (squat, deadlift).
- Getting rid of the iPhone Home button allowing for bigger screen and more innovation in UI/UX (swiping from bottom of the screen)— and this innovation transmitted to iPad Pro.
- RICOH GR III made smaller than RICOH GR II (no flash). Perhaps this drove the team to innovate a better in-camera stabilization and high ISO performance to offset the need for flash.
It seems that by actively simplifying, subtracting, and getting rid of “superfluous”things can lead to growth, innovation, and better ways of doing things!
Extreme minimalism as an aesthetic
Honestly I think going extreme minimalism is probably less functional than allowing for some superfluous aspects and things. So ultimately extreme minimalism isn’t about practicality or function — it’s an aesthetic.
Taking this notion further and deeper — assuming our aesthetics are our ethics, and our personal beliefs on life and modes of living. This then means:
I delight in extreme minimalism, because I believe in the ethic and the mode of living of going extremely minimal and simple. My ethic is that I don’t like superfluous things, having too many things, and I don’t like distractions. I prize my focus above all.
