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According to an article,
Complexity: It is Not That Simpl
e (Pollard 2010); the key differences
between complex and complicated can easily be seen by comparing between system that
are grown and evolve naturally and systems that are constructed entirely by human. Pollard
explained that natural system, from behaviors of the cells to the overview of an ecological
system are all essentially complex, such as how each organism depends on one another for
survival to the way they adapted to a new environment. Human can only try to control
some part of the natural system. A removal of single species from the natural environment
will result in unforeseeable consequences where every part of the established natural
systemwill be affected. On the other hand, complicatedmanufactured system like that of a
computer and an automobile cannot evolve without human input and need constant
maintenance; for example, computers will not work without electricity; automobiles will not
work without fuel, etc. Therefore, the entire system is at the mercy of human control, and
although having many parts makes the understanding of the system difficult and confusing,
the system can be fully predictable after many parts that make up the system are fully
explored (Pollard 2010).
For this research, the researcher identified simple problems, complicated problems, and
complex problems. Simple problems are linear and have one clear solution, while
complicated problems havemany parts but can be understood by figuring out one part at a
time. Complex problems or predicaments are problems that havemany parts that affect one
another constantly (Pollard 2010). The problems are constantly evolving with no way to
predict that a certain intervention will result in a specific outcome. Environmental issue is a
perfect example of a complex problem becausemending the problemwill involvemanaging
several variables and changing the beliefs and attitude of several people involved
(Hulme 2009).
2.2.2 InformationOverload and Complexity
The major additional factor that contributes to the overall complexity of several problems
existing inmodern society is called information overload, a term popularized by Alvin Toffler
in his bestselling 1970 book Future Shock. The term describes the event in the book that
showcase a person’s lack of ability to make proper decisions when faced with too much
information. Several theorists contend that the information overload can be dealt with using
proper organization tool including visual aid; one of them is Richard Saul Wurman, an
architect and a graphic designer much considered to be the master of analyzing
overwhelming information. In his book Information Anxiety (1989), Wurman describes our
