The

Simple-Ideas Occasional
A publication dedicated to the study and celebration
of common sense and repeatable experiments

Robert L. Nuckolls, III

Medicine Lodge, Kansas
Number 1, Rev A, December 19, 2010

What’s a Simple-Idea?
A simple-idea should have a simple definition.
Referring to Webster’s dictionary for ‘simple’ and
‘idea’ I will suggest: A standard of perfection readily
understood by any competent observer.
“Standard of perfection” sounds like (and is often used)
to speak about nebulous and complex subjects or
systems. In the context of this and subsequent essays,
our standard for perfection is a discovery of the least
complex components of any invention either physical
or intellectual.
Simple ideas require little explanation. Any competent
observer will readily grasp and then be able to use
simple ideas as components for larger concepts and
systems.
Simple ideas can be concepts. For example: Charles
Kettering once stated, “Knowing is not understanding.
There is a great difference between knowing and
understanding: you can know a lot about something and
not really understand it.”
Simple idea? Sure! Students everywhere are often
graded on their ability to
memorize a host of facts and
successfully regurgitate them
on an exam; but 100% on the
exam reveals no discovery
of how those facts might fit
into or enhance the student’s
life experiences.
Consider a bolt and matching
nut. A competent observer
who has never seen these
objects before will readily discover how the parts fit
together In perhaps a few minutes. Having achieved
that understanding they might begin to ponder how the
nut and bolt can be used as components of a larger
system.
Another simple idea expands on a notion of optimal
proportion. For example: Too little fertilizer and the
plants languish; to much fertilizer and the plants will be
poisoned and destroyed.
Hundreds of years ago, Willam of Ockham wisely
observed, “entia non sunt multiplicanda praeter
necessitatem”. The words translate to, “entities should
not be multiplied beyond necessity”. In modern
vernacular, “Don’t make anything more complicated
than it needs to be for the idea to be completely
functional.” This simple idea has significance
throughout the spectrum of competent observers.
We’ve all heard of the KISS principal . . . “Keep It
Simple Stupid.” The idea has been a feature in many
studies in philosophy and has been give the title of
“Ockham’s Razor”.
Excellent examples of this idea are found in the art and
science of cooking. A chef studies how combinations
of ingredients go together to craft pleasing tastes,
appearances and textures. A skilled chef must
understand the science of how ingredients interact with
each other to achieve the successful recipe. He or she
also strives to discover the minimum numbers and
optimal proportions of ingredients that produce the
most pleasing result. Finally, the processes by which
the ingredients are combined require experimentation
and careful observation and tracking of outcomes. The
fully developed recipe for success is a process that can

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be repeated over and over again with a high probability Check out the Antikytheran
of achieving the same outcome every time. Mechanism on the Internet.

Ockam’s Razor codifies what all competent observers Modern mortals ponder
know about optimization. For example: A really good remnants of these
recipe that calls for two or three spices or flavors would achievements with awe and
not benefit from adding a dozen more spices. wonder. Some have suggested
that these things could not
A recipe for success is often limited by the best-we- have come into being without
know-how-to-do for any given period of time. For the assistance of extra-
example: Engines that power modern vehicles have terrestrial or omnipotent beings: “The puny intellects of
significant gains in power and efficiency over engines ancient history were not
popular in the 1950's. Yet they’re crafted from a fewer capable of understanding
parts, offer greater reliability and wear out more slowly the simple-ideas and
than their half-century old ancestors. Every year or so, processes behind the
some “chef” in the arts and science of engines discovers creation of such
a previously untried process. Perhaps it uses newly marvels”. Some humans
discovered ingredients. Maybe it’s just a more refined are fond of supernatural
combination of the past ingredients. In any case, it’s an attribution to things they
advancement on the best-we-know-how-to-do. don’t understand while
simultaneously doing
I suggest that the entire universe, both in terms of the their level best to obscure
physics and human relationships operate on simple- or deny the simple-ideas
ideas. It has been said, “there is nothing new under the that lead to understanding.
sun” and I agree. Every simple-idea discovered to date
and yet be discovered has existed long before mankind I suggest that the competent observer will come to an
came along. It will still exist when and if mankind alternate conclusion. The people involved in the design
becomes extinct. and fabrication of these ancient wonders were skilled
craftsmen. It was all in a day’s work. They had
A teacher’s success depends on the ability to assist understanding of the simple-ideas and working
students in their own first discovery of simple ideas. A knowledge for creation of the tools and processes by
teacher then guides student in understanding their which those ideas were molded into recipes for
assemblage into successful systems beneficial in the success. Perhaps not easy, but for them it was certainly
past, present and new opportunities for the future. simple.

History and archaeology may yield evidence of simple- Countless simple-ideas and the technologies have
ideas that were placed into useful practice centuries become hidden from us due to an innate perversity of
ago. the human species. Inventors killed, their writings
destroyed or stolen, libraries sacked or destroyed,
Consider the fabrication of ancient pyramids . . . stones whole cultures wiped out by natural calamity.
weighing many tons Fortunately for us, simple-ideas cannot be created or
stacked to great heights destroyed. What ever the ancients knew, it’s still out
with fits that will not there waiting to be re-discovered.
admit the thickness of a
playing card. The Simple-Ideas Occasional is not an attempt to
persuade anyone of anything. Simple-ideas are
How about the fundamental truths that any competent observer will
observations and thought understand - they do not require persuasion. Simple-
processes behind the ideas cannot be property. The neatest thing about
Mayan calendar? simple-ideas is that they are rudimentary, fundamental,
inarguable, and easily understood by any competent

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2
observer. While huge collections of simple-ideas may
be assembled into wonderful inventions, every
invention no matter how complex or mystifying may be
disassembled into its component simple-ideas and any
one idea is easily recognized and understood by
competent observer who chooses to do so.
Simple ideas are not about individuals but they can
define and guide individual behaviors. All simple-ideas
have always existed - long before they were discovered
and added to the human’s bag of tricks. They will exist
long after human are gone. As we move forward in the
discovery, discussion and exchange of simple-ideas, let
us be mindful that many individuals among us perceive
benefit in obscuring or even denying their existence.
They may offer up their own perverted concepts of a
simple-idea. Such ideas do not stand up under the
illumination of common sense, examination of fact, or
the guidance of that wise philosopher, William of
Ockham.
These individuals are never teachers who take pleasure
in the sharing of discovery and understanding. They are
instead propagandists using powers of persuasion and
despotic progressives using force of office and law to
convince listeners that some things are just too complex
for ordinary folks to understand or control. These
individuals anoint themselves as intellectually and
socially superior elitists. Transformation to their exalted
state produces a miracle. They’re suddenly endowed
with duty and power to wield control over knowledge
and skills they do not possess, property they do not
own, and lives of people who were born into liberty.
This is called descent into tyranny.
Over the course of publishing planned monographs for
The Simple-Ideas Occasional, I will endeavor to make
a case for an earlier assertion that the whole universe
runs on simple-ideas. I will illustrate and demonstrate
that the understanding and value of any simple-idea is
well within the grasp of any competent observer who
exercises common sense. Finally, I will illustrate and
demonstrate tools of analysis and understanding that
honorable individuals may use to expose statists, social
engineers, mystics and charlatans who use their self-
serving, self-elevated status to justify dishonorable
behavior against other individuals.
Referring back to the opening paragraphs of this essay,
may I suggest that the epitome of perfection is the
simple-idea? The simple-idea is worthy of the name
Copyright © 2010 by Robert L. Nuckolls, III. This document may be reproduced in any form or venue when authorship is properly
cited and the work is not exploited for the purpose of securing a profit or obscuring context.
3
only when stripped of all superfluous complexity. A
simple-idea is the fundamental building block from
which more complex systems may be crafted. A simple
idea is easily understood and stands on its own merits.
It matters not whether you endeavor to be a great chef,
golfer, musician, engineer, scientist, base-ball player,
doctor, or teacher. Your success will hinge on a
discovery, understanding and assemblage of the
simple-ideas (some may say “fundamentals”) of your
chosen craft.
The Enemies of Simple Ideas
There are individuals with whom we share this planet
who are demonstrated if not avowed enemies of certain
simple ideas. How can this be? Simple-ideas are not
inherently dangerous. They are not created nor can they
be destroyed. They cannot be forever hidden because
simple-ideas are pervasive. They exist everywhere
waiting to be discovered, used, and perhaps forgotten .
. . only to be discovered again in other persons, places
and times. Who in their right mind would take up the
sword against something that cannot be destroyed?
Easy, there are individuals of at least ignorant if not
dishonorable intent for whom simple-ideas are a threat.
These individuals seek to hold power over others. They
extort value from the production of others without
having to honorably exert themselves intellectually or
physically. I don’t know if these individuals understand
that a simple-idea cannot be destroyed . . . or whether
they simply strike out at some idea which places their
positions of power at risk. But strike out they do and
some times in bizarre ways..
For example:
Consider this list of simple-ideas that speak the
relationships between individuals in a civilized society:
• You cannot bring about prosperity by
discouraging thrift.
• You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening
the strong.
• You cannot enrich the poor by impoverishing
the rich.
• You cannot establish economic security on
borrowed money.

• You cannot help the wage earner by pulling
down the wage payor .
• You cannot build character and courage by
taking away man's initiative and
independence.
• You cannot further the brotherhood of man by
inciting class hatred.
• You cannot keep out of trouble by spending
more than you earn.
• You cannot help men permanently by doing
for them what they could and should do for
themselves.
The competent observer of simple-ideas will consider
these thoughts and readily confirm their validity. Look
magazine attributed this list to Abraham Lincoln in an
piece printed over 50 years ago. Time magazine
followed up soon thereafter:
http://tinyurl.com/26vgbra
The author in Time cites the paper trail that disproves
the basic premises of the Look article attributing these
words to Abraham Lincoln.
Suppose the author of Look magazine had attributed
these ideas to a beggar he met on the street? Better yet.
Suppose Look was reporting on the claim of some
archaeologist that the list had been deciphered from
ancient rune stones unearthed in Minnesota? How
might the two articles have been different? How might
this have affected the responses from elitists of the
time?
It’s easy to imagine self-exalted individuals
discounting the list in its entirety because it was the
product of some individual’s “drunken delirium”. Or
praising the wisdom of ancient visitors to the North
American Continent. Words uttered or written by
individuals with without certifiable credential or
sufficiently elevated celebrity are suspect if not
discountable out of hand by the elitists.
We can never know now but perhaps the author of the
Look article understood this and wished too hard for
noteworthy attribution of these ideas. It just wouldn’t
Copyright © 2010 by Robert L. Nuckolls, III. This document may be reproduced in any form or venue when authorship is properly
cited and the work is not exploited for the purpose of securing a profit or obscuring context.
4
do to publish the list with no attribution. Or perhaps a
simple admission that they were found on a piece of
paper lying on the sidewalk. Or perhaps crafted
personally based on examination of their own life
experiences. After all, he was ‘just a reporter’ and
perhaps not expected to display the talents of a
competent observer.
This expenditure of ink, paper, printing and cost of
distribution is but one of millions of examples of ‘tis so,
‘taint so arguments over insignificance while the real
value goes unrecognized or obscured. The entire
context of the Time article is aimed at discrediting Look
magazine’s attribution and ignores the value of the
ideas.
You cannot make a simple-idea go away or diminish its
significance by bad-mouthing discoverers or incorrectly
attributing the discovery to another individual. Bad-
mouthing the messenger is the lazy, cowardly way to
further a dishonorable goal of obscuring simple-ideas.
But then, cowardice is a common trait amongst
dishonorable individuals. They are most comfortable
never having to consider honorable behaviors
supported by simple-ideas in open forum. To have an
honest debate on relevant matters in front of
everybody puts them at great risk for exposing their
true nature.
The most egregious behavior of the Time author was to
title the piece “Dishonest Abe”. Assuming there was
willful mis-attribution of the list to Abe Lincoln, it had
nothing to do with the veracity of the president. While
justifiably proud of counting coup on the competing
magazine, the Time author was notably silent on the
value of ideas offered in the list while demonstrating
his own skill at generating clouds of floobydust.
Whether discovered and illuminated by Abe Lincoln,
ancient Vikings or plain Joe Citizen, that list of simple-
ideas is pretty damned good! Too bad they were
hidden from many by a storm of attribution floobydust.
The student of simple-ideas soon comes to understand
that it doesn’t matter who discovers a simple-idea or
how it is brought to light and shared. Yes, correct
attribution is interesting but it’s not about people, it’s
all about ideas.
Modern examples of reverence for credential or
celebrity abound. The words of a popular singer or
movie star carries more weight with some individuals
than the words of a good teacher. The movie star’s
whole career hinges on the institutionalized lie.
They make $millions$ for an ability to convince movie
goers that they are someone who does not and probably
could never exist. If convincing in their roles as
individuals who never were, then it follows that they
are equally convincing in their promotion of bad ideas.
It is easily demonstrated that Hollywood and
Washington have a great deal in common when it
comes to institutionalized lying with profound benefits
to the liar.
Bad ideas of presidents have been embraced to the
point of threatening the security and economy of an
entire planet. Some presidents have enjoyed elevation
to virtual sainthood by awards of a Nobel Prize. If a
Swedish committee charged with giving away buckets
full of somebody else’s money thinks a particular recipe
is worthy of great reward, then it automatically follows
that the recipe is based on rock solid ideas . . . . yeah,
right.
As we take this journey of discovery together, let us be
mindful of attempts by fellow citizens to throw up lots
of dust around a simple-idea by calling for investigation
of the speakers and writers. They’ll attempt to discredit
simple-ideas by throwing mud at anyone who offers
them up. They’ll attempt to dismiss ideas because they
were not the product of individuals with sufficient
credential or celebrity. They will also throw up clouds
of dust disguised as “fact checking” to hide their own
inability or unwillingness to discuss a simple-idea in
terms of its face value. It matters not that this reluctance
is driven by protection of deeply held beliefs, ordinary
Copyright © 2010 by Robert L. Nuckolls, III. This document may be reproduced in any form or venue when authorship is properly
cited and the work is not exploited for the purpose of securing a profit or obscuring context.
disinterest, ulterior motives or simple ignorance. The
value of a simple-idea as an ingredient in a recipe for
success is lost every time it is successfully obscured or
ignored.
Success in this endeavor depends on a willingness and
ability to consider ideas on their own merit and to
cultivate personal skills as competent observers. Only
then will our culture be capable of peering through the
fog of institutionalized dishonesty that is threatening to
destroy the phenomenal recipe for success that brought
this representative republic into existence. Our recipe
for success was codified over 200 years ago in a
document that was but 6 pages long.
http://tinyurl.com/ybxpcd6
Our founding fathers agreed in great measure with
William of Ockham and demonstrated a solid
understanding of the power of simple-ideas.
As a critical component of good education, simple-
ideas have been discarded or simply lost in the
operation of government schools. If our society is to
regain the greatness it once held on the world scene, it
is up to a new class of teachers and students to
discover, understand, and learn how to assemble
simple-ideas into recipes for success that benefit us all.
The design goal for these essays is to cultivate an
appreciation for how simple-ideas became
indestructible fibers in the fabric of a culture that
thrives in a free-market exchange of value and a state of
communal liberty secure in their persons and property
by the force of honorable law.