"L'homme est un organisme trop compliqué. S'il est voué à l'extinction il disparaîtra par manque de simplicité."

The core idea here is that humans often make life more complicated than it needs to be. This complexity can become so overwhelming that it could lead to our downfall. Basically, if we can't learn to simplify our lives, we might end up causing our own extinction.

This idea harks back to a lot of philosophical and practical wisdom that's been shared over the ages. Think about the ancient Greek philosophers who advocated for a simple life, or the minimalist movement that's become quite popular in recent years. There's a clear historical context where thinkers have warned about the dangers of overcomplicating things. They saw that societies, when bogged down by unnecessary complexities, tend to struggle and sometimes collapse.

Now, let’s get real with an example. Imagine a tech startup that grows rapidly. At first, it’s just a small team with a clear, simple goal. But as it grows, layers of management get added, processes become intricate, and soon there are so many departments and protocols that the original mission gets lost. The company starts missing deadlines, employees get frustrated, and eventually, it might collapse under its own weight. If they had kept things simpler and more focused, they could have thrived.

So how do we apply this wisdom in our own lives? Start by identifying areas where things have become too complicated. Maybe it's your daily routine. Are you juggling too many tasks at once? Try cutting out the unnecessary ones. Focus on what truly matters. At work, streamline your processes. Ask yourself, "Is there a simpler way to do this?" If you find yourself in endless meetings that don't seem to achieve much, suggest shorter, more focused ones.

Let me tell you a story that illustrates this. I had a friend, Sarah, who was always stressed out. She tried to balance a demanding job, a side hustle, volunteering, and a packed social calendar. She was always on the go, but never really felt fulfilled or happy. One day, she decided enough was enough. She sat down and made a list of what truly mattered to her. Turns out, she valued quality time with her family and close friends the most. So, she quit her side hustle, cut back on volunteering, and made her social calendar less hectic. Guess what? She found herself happier and more at peace. The simplicity brought her clarity and joy.

Alright, imagine you're at a coffee shop with me. We're chatting about life and you mention how overwhelmed you feel with everything going on. I might say, "Hey, why not take a step back and think about what you can simplify?" Maybe you don't need to attend every single event you're invited to. Maybe you can focus on just a couple of priorities at work and excel at those. It’s about making life manageable and not letting it spiral into chaos.

In the end, it’s about finding that balance. We live in a world that pushes complexity on us constantly, but we have the power to push back. Simplify where you can, and you might just find that life becomes more enjoyable and a lot less stressful.