When I published my post titled, “Dear Mr. Jobs” last week, I heard a couple of comments about my “cluttered” menubar. It got me thinking about the current move towards minimalism and simplicity in regards to our digital tools. It’s a movement that I’m greatly in favour of. It has been wonderful… to see a work like Patrick’s Minimal Mac receive so much attention and success…
It should come as a surprise to no one who has really been following along here for the past several months that I agree with Chris 100%. I have said as much here, here, here, and even more I will not bother linking to (seriously, search around, I say this stuff all the time).
See, I am in this weird position. I feel like I kind of helped to start something that has nothing to do with what I believe in (which is what I have said I believe in and what Chris believes in, as he so elegantly stated above). Yet, the only way for me to combat it is to show up every day and continue to express what I believe in. Which, inevitably, some people myopically think is something other than what I believe in.
Believe me when I tell you this stuff weighs on me heavily. Like, really heavily. It is the reason why you see no posts for a day or two at times. I just not sure I want to contribute to all of these people who think the key to “minimalism” and “simplicity” is killing off their menubar and dock. I can’t tell you how many times my finger has hovered over the delete account button… Sigh.
Just so we are clear…
I believe the most minimal computer is the one that is optimized for you. How you work. The menubar items you need. The dock items you need. The applications you need. The system you need. The peripherals you need. The tools you need to get the job done.
I believe most of us do not take the time often enough to evaluate what that need is. The entire mission of this site is to help you ask those questions and find the answer that is right. The only answer that is right. The one that is right for you and only you.
Update: I have added this info to the about page.
I think people need to take a look at this and read both posts very carefully. A lot of people are confused about what is minimal and how to use it in their daily lives. I know I’m trying to strive for the minimal Chris and Patrick are talking about here and I feel it’s helping me not only be more efficient, but more comfortable in using my computer/iPhone/life/whatevs.
