Complicated Simplicity

It’s not simple to be simple. More often than not we observe complex means being employed to address simple issues. Be it solving a problem or explaining a concept, use of complex methods and jargons is preferred where simplicity can work wonders.

Recently I was tasked to help a team who wanted a Machine Learning model to prescribe the optimal liquid flow that fills maximum tankers in minimum time. Upon examining, it wasn’t hard to conclude that a bit of math could give the right figure. “We need some AI in our system to showcase our capabilities on advanced offerings” was the justification. It was like trying to be 80% sure that 2 + 2 equals some value between 3.96 and 4.04, where simple math could provide a 100% definite answer; A clear pursuit of complexities over simplicity.

We Indians too find complex explanations and use of heavy jargons a sine-quo-non to impress others (Sorry, I can’t help being an Indian myself J). This probably stems from the colonial conditioning ingrained in us over ages. Britons prefer passive tones, while Americans don’t. Signboards like “Entry Prohibited” simplify into “Do not Enter” in America. Active voiced Americans prefer a simple direct tone and argue that incorrigible Britons unnecessarily complicate spellings by adding a “u” in words like “color”.

Psychological observations about what makes people take the longer route might point to reasons below.

Urge to stand out sounding smarter:
We admire Shashi Tharoor for his unique choice of words, doesn’t matter if we don’t understand half of those. Be it through his famous speech in London, Ted Talks he has delivered or the interviews he has given, he never missed impressing us with his adorable knowledge and diction. Strong vocabulary up his sleeves to feed his complex speeches, he does stand out smarter among his khadi clad colleagues.

Half knowledge:
It is said that you haven’t understood a thing thoroughly, unless you can explain it in a way a 6 years old could understand. It’s like Amir Khan explaining the meaning of a machine in the movie “3 Idiots”; Use of simple terms that explain the concept thoroughly but fail to impress due to lack of engineering complexity.
At times people tend to lean on complex explanations to cover up their deficiencies about the subject of matter.

If you can’t convince them, better confuse them:
Just as US President Harry Truman quoted this maxim to describe his political opponents’ tactics, at times complex means come handy in intentionally confusing others when convincing is not possible.

Guilt:
We grow up learning that success always follows hard work. We feel success is sweeter when it’s achieved the harder way. Wise men advocate treading the “right” way, rather than the “hard” way. At times the “right” way is actually the simpler, or it may be sheer luck that makes us succeed. But most of the times, success remains unacknowledged unless there is sweat on the brow.

Fear of Missing Out:
FOMO as it is popularly called is a psychological state of mind, aggravated by the overuse of social media. We have let technology invade our lives deeper than expected. Bogged down by the problem of plenty we never settle on the urge to have more. We fail to entertain ourselves with simple means that made us happy just about 15 years ago.

Neuroplasticity:
Humans like challenges. Solving complex puzzles reverses cognitive aging. Over a period, the adrenaline release of getting over complexities causes neuroplasticity to make complex neural mappings. Brain tends to automatically follow the complex path as a response to every problem. Simple way-outs become rare.

We find multiple ways to complicate our lives. We feel like talking, but we hesitate to call. If we need anything, isn’t it easy enough to ask? A plain explanation can settle misunderstandings. When guilt haunts us, we can always apologise. It’s simpler than we think.

Similar ways people tend to over complicate financial investments. Investing need not be that complicated. We witness our previous generation, comfortably retired on simple but disciplined investing over years in limited investment options available in the past. While newer options are necessary to cover the growing cost of living, experts suggest a simple disciplined approach over long term does play out even today. However, our incorrigible self refutes to settle for simplicity.

At office, crisp, distilled explanations in simple terms that the audience understands makes for a good presentation. Jargon filled overcomplicated rhetoric is sure to bore the audience, also make them uncomfortable and hesitant in asking questions.

It’s time we embrace simplicity again. Simplifying complexities and letting simple stay simple never seemed more important. Nothing explains life better than watching a child play on her own, pure emotions derived from simple means. 

American researcher Brene Brown once quoted – “It takes courage to say yes to rest and play in a culture where exhaustion is seen as a status symbol”. We probably need to infer these golden words in the context of simplicity. All it takes, is to learn to KISS – Keep It Simple, Stupid J.

The Divine Intervention

It was just past 1 am when my brother received a call. Seemed like just another call what my brother and I had been making and receiving for last 8 hours or so, but this one was different. Mission was to arrange a hospital bed for my mother who was short on breath due to Covid. "Look for an O2 bed" is what our doctor recommended, however a high HRCT score from a fresh CT scan now mandated an ICU with a ventilator.

"We have 1 ventilator bed in an ICU available, but that’s in Wagholi and they won't wait long." said my wife (Anuja) over phone. Anuja and Gauri (my brother's wife) and a bunch of friends were continuously reaching out to every hospital in Pune to find a bed. Finally a friend was able to arrange through some contact.

"Anywhere in Pune, just book it. Pay the advance if required" said my brother. We were at Ruby Hall Clinic where our mother was on Oxygen in the Casualty ward. Just like other hospitals across Pune, Ruby Hall too was overwhelmed with Covid patients with no bed left to be occupied.

Odd hours helped us transfer her quickly. Finally our mother was on ventilator in an ICU at Care Hospital, Wagholi where treatment began around 2 am. She would spend her next 2 weeks here battling Covid, pneumonia, shortness of Oxygen and overcoming physical weakness. What seemed like a viral fever 8 days ago had aggravated into pneumonia within last 4 days.

"Oxygen levels are low and HRCT is high, we will try our best but odds seem against her" said the consulting doctor the next morning. What I would describe my feeling at that moment, wasn't really a shock but a high degree of unsurfaced emotional disturbance and anxiety. My senses were not prepared to react in any way. Never before had I come anywhere close to a situation I was into.

Minal (my brother's elder sister-in-law) called me the following afternoon. Her call was an explicit reminder of things we have read, known and even experienced, but tend to forget at times when we need them the most. Faith, positivity, essentially- The Secret. This was well the beginning of my realization and assurance of a silver lining being there.

That she got an ICU bed with a ventilator in relatively less time, when others were struggling for hours without success, was a good beginning. Wagholi was too far, about 25 kms commute one way. Hospital didn't have a canteen, but thankfully it was located close to my cousin's place. My cousin's wife (Akshada) would whole heartedly take care of my mother's nutrition for next 2 weeks. My brother and I had one less thing to worry about.

Doctor advised to arrange plasma on 3rd day. Given the second (current) wave was quite recent, it was hard to find someone who might have recovered from Covid within 2 months. We got lucky in securing the first dose from a blood bank in Pandharpur that very day.

"Second plasma infusion within next 24 hours will be more beneficial" said the doctor. As serendipity would bless us, we discovered a donor among Minal's colleagues who would fit the setting and we could deliver the second dose within 24 hours.

Meanwhile our mother was in the ICU, though against typical medical and Covid norms, we were allowed in to deliver food, and even feed her. She was blissfully ignorant of the outside and also what was going within her. Her only contact during these 2 weeks would be one of us meeting her 3 times every day. We had been super exposed to Covid environment during these days and had isolated ourselves in my in-laws' residence which otherwise is empty. We couldn't allow ourselves to get contracted in any way. Our utmost care to keep the virus away, also had an invisible support that we realized when we tested negative on RT-PCR during the following week.

The support stayed throughout. Lucky were we again to get a regular supply of Remdisivir (I'm still not sure if I spell and pronounce that correctly :)) from hospital's pharmacy. She was administered her 9th dose of scheduled 10 doses, when the shortage of Remdisivir got omnipresent. The 9 doses had already worked their wonder on her. 

So was it with Oxygen; she was already out of oxygen requirement, being monitored on normal breathing by the time the shortage started showing up. Finally after 2 weeks, she was on her way back. She came in on a stretcher and walked out of the hospital herself, without any support.

I recalled the doctor's words on 3rd day- "Anyone with that HRCT score walking out of the hospital on his own, would be a miracle". Miracles do happen, miracle did happen. With deep gratitude we thanked every single person and situation that helped to bring her out of this. So many people were directly and indirectly involved in this, supporting us through their action, well wishes and comforting words.

What simply went right in all this? Maybe the past karma, the best wishes, the faith, the gratitude, positive thinking, blissful ignorance, avoidance of overthinking? All summed up to form a blissful setting that made things happen the right way, at the right time and right place. That definitely was a Divine Intervention.

Sometimes in life we need incidents that reinforce our beliefs in the invisible powers that support us when we need them the most. A regular deposit of gratitude and karma enriching the credit side of life's balance sheet accrues enough balance to withdraw in times of need.

Through this blog, I once again thank each and every person whom I may not have named but whom I deeply revere as a meaningful contribution in my mother's recovery. Thanks!