When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.
Chuck Moore on the Lost Art of Keeping It Simple
Why it is so tempting to solve a problem we don’t really have?
First, one doesn’t understand the problem initially and thinks it’s more difficult than it is. In the course of solving the problem, one learns about it. But in the rush of completing it, never re-examines the premises, rewrites and simplifies. This is not a small omission; code can be an orders of magnitude too elaborate.
Second, it’s irresistible to anticipate the future and expect the problem to grow in a certain direction. Thus code is added to facilitate future changes, which rarely occur. This is a good strategy, but can be put off until the future arrives.
Finally, a difficult problem is more fun to solve than an easy one. So the problem is enhanced to be more worthy of attention. Artificial Intelligence is often applied in this way.
