Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford cover image

Do Nothing, Then Do Less

Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford

NOTE

Grand Piano Subtracted

The story of Keith Jarrett's concert in Cologne reveals that people often only subtract when forced into a corner. When faced with an unplayable piano for his solo concert, Jarrett had to simplify his playing style, using fewer keys and sticking to a basic rhythm. This forced simplicity led to his most successful recording, showcasing that we tend to discover new solutions and innovative approaches only when faced with disruption and constraints that push us to do less than we have done before.

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