Problem solving

For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong.

- H.L. Mencken

I've always liked this quote, but didn't realize the original source. I usually use a paraphrase that I think I read in Foucoult's Pendulum:

As the man said, for every complex problem there’s a simple solution, and it’s wrong.

― Umberto Eco


It has seemed particularly apt the last few days. There seem to an usually large number of people suggesting simple solutions to complex problems.