Comment by Pheter | Hacker News Reader

Comment by Pheter | Hacker News Reader

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I think the reason why we are drawn to simple things is down to, among other reasons, something that I've observed with how the human mind fills in blanks.

Ever noticed how someone looks attractive from behind but then they turn round and are not so much? It seems to me that when our brain fills in the gaps it assumes that the subject is aesthetically pleasing. (Well, either our brain defaults to expecting something to look nice, or it fills in the blanks with an average and we find the average to be attractive.)

So coming back to simplistic design and why it evokes a positive emotional response from us: Perhaps it's because with a simple design our brain has more 'blanks' to fill in.

If anyone knows of a name for this phenomenon and further information exploring it I would love to learn about it. Same goes for if what I'm saying is nonsense and there is an alternate theory disproving mine!

I think this is explained here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_dissonance

Thanks for the link. Truly understanding cognitive dissonance seems to be the key in understanding what people find attractive and can definitely help companies (start ups or established) in marketing and refining their products or services. The simpler something is, the harder it is for people to have conflicting ideas about it, making it more attractive.

My observation is that simplicity tends to cause polarization. This (having lovers and haters) is actually quite good, IMHO. More conversation means more chances to learn from your users/customers.

good point

I rather suspect it's simpler than you think. Attractive-from-behind people are attractive by virtue of their figure. Before they turn around, everything we have seen we find attractive.

Unless you find every person you see from behind first, initially attractive. But I know I certainly don't.

I agree; this is the gist of what I was trying to say but I got carried away. I really need to work on getting my ideas out in a more focused manor!

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