
Do Nothing, Then Do Less
Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford
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.
00:00
Transcript
Play full episode
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.