Subtract

1. We systematically overlook subtraction as a way to improve situations

"As we'll see in the pages to come, there are many interwoven reasons for this—cultural, economic, historical, and even biological. As we'll also see, it doesn't have to be this way."

Subtraction neglect is pervasive. Across various domains—from Lego building to urban planning—humans consistently fail to consider removing elements as a way to enhance or solve problems. This oversight occurs even when subtraction would be the more efficient or effective solution.

Experimental evidence confirms this bias. Studies show that people tend to add elements to improve situations, even when removing elements would lead to better outcomes. For example:

• In grid pattern tasks, participants overwhelmingly chose to add squares rather than remove them to create symmetry
• When asked to improve travel itineraries, most people added activities instead of removing them
• Analysis of patents reveals that inventions predominantly involve adding rather than subtracting components

Recognizing this tendency is the first step. By understanding our innate bias towards addition, we can begin to consciously consider subtraction as a viable and often superior option for improvement.

2. Our biology, culture, and economy all reinforce our tendency to add

"Neglecting subtraction is harmful in our households, which now commonly contain more than a quarter of a million items."

Multiple forces drive our adding habit. Our biology predisposes us to accumulate resources, our cultures celebrate growth and expansion, and our modern economies reward constant production and consumption. These intertwined factors make subtraction a counterintuitive choice.

Biological instincts favor acquisition.

• Evolutionary adaptations for survival in resource-scarce environments
• Innate reward systems in the brain activated by acquiring things
• Natural tendency to demonstrate competence through visible additions

Cultural reinforcement of more:

• Monumental architecture as a hallmark of civilizations
• Social status often tied to material possessions
• Progress equated with growth in many societies

Economic systems prioritize growth:

• GDP as the primary measure of economic health
• Consumer culture encouraging continual purchasing
• Business models reliant on expanding markets and product lines

3. Subtraction can be more powerful and efficient than addition

"Subtracting a part to enhance the overall performance of a complex system remains counterintuitive."

Less can achieve more. In many cases, removing elements can lead to better outcomes than adding them. This principle applies across various domains, from design and engineering to policy-making and personal productivity.

Examples of powerful subtraction:

• Removing the Embarcadero Freeway in San Francisco led to improved urban life and increased property values
• The "K-brick" hollow building block, invented by Anna Keichline, used less material but provided better insulation and fire resistance
• Costa Rica's bold vision to become carbon neutral involves significant subtractions, like halting oil extraction

Benefits of subtraction:

• Simplifies systems, making them more efficient and easier to manage
• Reduces cognitive load, allowing for better focus and decision-making
• Often requires less resources and energy to implement
• Can reveal hidden potential or core strengths previously obscured

4. To find less, we must first see the whole system and its essence

"To understand the relationship between thinking, the creations our thinking inspires, the thinking that results, the things that are created, and so on …"

Systems thinking is crucial. To effectively subtract, we need to understand the entire context and interconnections within a system. This holistic view allows us to identify what is truly essential and what can be removed without compromising the system's integrity.

Steps to find essential less:

1. Observe the entire system and its components
2. Identify the core purpose or goal of the system
3. Analyze the relationships and dependencies between elements
4. Determine which elements are vital and which are superfluous
5. Consider the potential ripple effects of removing elements

Triage for complexity:

• In emergency medicine, doctors use simple triage systems to quickly assess patients
• For climate action, Costa Rica distilled their goal to becoming carbon neutral by a specific date
• In construction projects, focusing on critical materials and steps rather than tracking every detail

5. Persisting to noticeable less often requires more effort but pays off

"Subtracting can be harder to think of (quite literally, as we'll see in the next chapter). Even when we do manage to think of it, subtracting can be harder to implement."

Overcoming resistance to subtraction. Because addition is our default mode, pursuing subtraction often requires more mental effort and persistence. However, the results can be transformative and highly rewarding.

Strategies for achieving noticeable less:

• Set clear goals for what you want to achieve through subtraction
• Repeatedly challenge yourself to find subtractive solutions
• Be prepared to invest more time and thought initially
• Seek feedback and iterate on your subtractions
• Celebrate and communicate the benefits of your subtractions

Examples of impactful persistence:

• Bruce Springsteen's "samurai record" Darkness on the Edge of Town, stripped down to its essence
• Maya Lin's minimalist design for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
• Kate Orff's subtractive approach to urban design in Lexington, Kentucky

6. Reframing subtraction positively helps overcome resistance to change

"Reveal is how Orff describes the westernmost part of Lexington's transformation, the Town Branch Park. Here, the creek is daylit and new open space 'gestures' to the nearby bluegrass region."

Language matters in promoting subtraction. People often associate subtraction with loss, making them resistant to change. By reframing subtraction in positive terms, we can make it more appealing and easier to implement.

Positive framing techniques:

• Use action verbs that emphasize creation or improvement (e.g., "reveal," "clean," "enhance")
• Focus on what is gained rather than what is lost
• Highlight the new possibilities that emerge from subtraction
• Connect subtraction to core values or aspirations

Examples of effective reframing:

• "Decluttering" instead of "getting rid of things"
• "Streamlining processes" rather than "cutting steps"
• "Curating experiences" instead of "limiting options"
• "Optimizing resources" rather than "reducing budgets"

7. Subtracting information and ideas can lead to greater wisdom

"To attain knowledge add things every day. To attain wisdom subtract things every day."

Information overload hinders understanding. In our information-rich world, the ability to filter, prioritize, and remove unnecessary data is crucial for developing true wisdom and insight.

Benefits of mental subtraction:

• Improves focus on essential concepts
• Enhances clarity of thought and communication
• Reduces cognitive load, allowing for deeper processing
• Facilitates the discovery of core principles and patterns

Strategies for information subtraction:

• Regularly review and eliminate outdated or irrelevant knowledge
• Practice summarizing complex ideas in simpler terms
• Use analogies to distill key concepts
• Engage in deliberate forgetting of non-essential details
• Cultivate the habit of asking "What can I remove?" when learning

8. Balancing addition and subtraction is key to improving complex systems

"Koffka was miffed by the 'is more than' misinterpretation. He knew that the whole can also be less than the sum of the parts."

Synergy through balance. The most effective improvements to complex systems often involve a thoughtful combination of addition and subtraction. This balance allows for innovation while maintaining efficiency and clarity.

Principles for balanced system improvement:

• Consider both additive and subtractive changes for each problem
• Evaluate the systemic effects of each change, not just local impacts
• Look for opportunities to subtract that create space for beneficial additions
• Recognize that sometimes removing one element can enhance the function of others

Examples of balanced approaches:

• Urban renewal projects that remove outdated infrastructure to create new public spaces
• Software development that streamlines code while adding new features
• Educational curricula that prune outdated content to make room for essential new skills

9. Leaving options through subtraction is crucial for future generations

"To leave options, we need to subtract stuff."

Creating future potential. In addressing global challenges like climate change, our legacy should be one of expanded possibilities rather than constraints. This often requires subtracting harmful elements from our systems and lifestyles.

Ways to leave options through subtraction:

• Removing barriers to sustainability and social progress
• Divesting from harmful industries and practices
• Simplifying systems to make them more adaptable
• Preserving natural resources by reducing consumption
• Eliminating outdated regulations that hinder innovation

The Anthropocene challenge:

• Recognizing humans as the dominant force shaping Earth's systems
• Taking responsibility for the long-term consequences of our actions
• Balancing present needs with future possibilities
• Cultivating a mindset of stewardship rather than exploitation

Last updated: January 25, 2025