What Einstein meant by following quote?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the interpretation of Einstein's quote, "Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler." Participants explore the implications of this statement regarding simplicity in scientific theories and methodologies, considering both historical context and potential critiques of complexity in modern physics.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested, Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that Einstein advocates for radical new approaches rather than incremental improvements to existing methods, implying a pursuit of maximum simplicity.
  • Another participant humorously interprets the quote, stating that oversimplification leads to incorrect conclusions.
  • A third participant expresses agreement with the humorous interpretation, indicating a preference for that version.
  • One participant references an external source that discusses the quote in detail and speculates that Einstein may have been critiquing the complexity of quantum mechanics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing interpretations of the quote, with no consensus reached on its meaning or implications. Some focus on the idea of simplicity in scientific progress, while others highlight the risks of oversimplification.

Contextual Notes

Participants do not clarify specific assumptions underlying their interpretations, and the discussion includes references to historical context without resolving the implications of those references.

n.karthick
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"Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler"
What I understood is we should not improve the old things, instead we should find an entirely new and easier way of doing the same thing.
Does he mean that progress should not be made step by step like improving the age old tradition, but it should be radically new way and achieving the theoretical maximum of simplicity.
 
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It's just a little joke: if you make something simpler than is possible, then you make it wrong.
 
russ_watters said:
... if you make something simpler than is possible, then you make it wrong.

I like your version even better.
 

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