Minimalism

There are several kinds and fields of minimalism. I know enough art theory and history to claim ignorance about art minimalism. Minimalism with a capital M has come to mean small houses or few possessions. But small and few are poorly defined; say small or few to a mathematician, I dare you. Minimalism in software language means Lua and such. Minimalism in software design means user interfaces like double dash files that melt the distinctions between automation, configuration, and interaction. Minimalism in backpacking can mean ultra-light and/or general purpose. Backpacking mores can be applied to behavior in general. Leave only footprints and take only pictures translates to minimize your carbon footprint and respect indigenous priority. Does one opt for high tech or tried and tested. Does one prefer expert approved or do it yourself. Does one keep a clean living space or minimize the amount of manintenance. Does one emulate a storage, workshop, or ship? Engineers claim to admire simplicity, but each interprets the word differently. Some lean towards architecture, and adopt descriptive identifiers and formulaic comments. I lean away from architecture, and opt for shorter identifiers, fewer lines of code, and imaginative comments. I take a similar approach to society. Corporate life is a bath of deception and secrecy. The claimed merit is productivity, but in practice that means toeing the line. Methodology claims to enhance reuse, but actually just makes marketing easier by reducing innovation. Similar dynamics occur in other hierarchical parts of society. Trickle down economics claims to raise all boats, but actually just crams more sardines into the same can.