As much as I’ve embraced simplicity, there’s one place in which being simple equates to settling: accepting the simple answers.
Some questions have simple answers. “Should I get up and do something good today?” That’s an easy answer. Many times, those simple answers are appropriate and will lead you in positive directions.
But the world is not that simple. The world is very, very complex. In a world where people can be counted on to behave irrationally, simple answers are often the dangerous ones. From political advertisements to financial talking heads, being able to differentiate the smart answers from the simply stupid is important to you and your family.
The problem is that simple answers make good sound bytes. They fit into fast-talking, fast-moving discussions. They often sound obvious, like, “Of course! That makes complete sense!” The problem comes when life intervenes, and suddenly that simple answer proves to be empty. Sometimes there are no right answers, and that’s hard to face as well. But there’s nothing wrong with nuance, even if that means that we don’t get the answers we want.
So how can you tell the difference between simple and oversimplified? Stop and ask a few questions, like some of the following:
Are the any holes in the logic here?
What’s the other side of the story?
Are there any facts that would be able to support this idea?
Are those facts being ignored? Misrepresented? Or are they incorporated usefully?
Does the solution deal with only part of the problem?
Is the messenger relying on charisma rather than content?
What is the person’s background? Who would be the best person to speak on the subject?
Is this argument based on fact and philosophy or emotion?
What is the other person’s vested interest here?
What does the opposition have to say?
And finally, does it just seem to good to be true?
Again, this isn’t just about politics, though the timing certainly makes it applicable to that arena. This is able not accepting easy answers just to make life easier. Whether you’re deciding on a new job, schooling, buying a car, or filling up at the gas station, don’t settle for simple. Just this one time… 
Please, toss in your ideas. How can we separate between simple answers and easy answers? How can we know we’re not just settling? Hit up the comments and contribute your thoughts!
译文:
可以简单，但不要愚蠢
我喜欢简单，有时候简单的答案就是最好的答案。
对于“我今天应该起来做点好事么？”这样的问题，答案很简单。很多时候，简单的答案恰恰是最能够使我们积极面对问题的。
但是，这个世界并不简单， 社会很复杂。在这个人人都可能失去理智的社会，简单的答案常常会导致危险的后果。对于你和你的家人来说，能够从各种媒体（无论是政治广告还是金融采访）中区别真假好坏是至关重要的。
简单的答案不是金科玉律。在快速讨论的时候，它们很适用。在这种场合，人们经常会回答道：“当然，很有道理！” 但是，在现实生活中，这些回答就显得空洞无义。标准答案并不是到处都有，这有点令人不知所措。他人精心设计的托辞总是使我们得不到自己想要的答案，但这并不说明这些托辞不能够被接受。
那么，如何区分简单与过分简单呢？花点时间问问自己以下问题：
答案在逻辑上有漏洞么？
事情的另一面是怎样的？
有事实能够证明这个观点么？
事实是被忽略了，误解了，还是成了有用的论据？
方案解决的只是一部分问题么？
发言者是靠自己的魅力还是靠演讲的内容来打动你？
这个人的背景如何？谁是最适合就此主题作演讲的人？
论据是建立在什么基础上的，是事实、哲学还是感情？
另一方在这方面有什么既得权力？
反方的论据是什么？
最后，其可行性如何？
还有，虽然在时间上，这恰好适用于政治方面，但它的适用范围远远大于政治。不要为了使生活变得简单而接受简单的答案。当你为工作，学业，以及买车做决定时，或是在加油站加油时，不要贪图简便。仅此一次......
请献上你们的良策。我们如何区分简单与简便？我们如何知道自己并非敷衍了事？点击“评论”，说出你们的想法吧！