Now, with this graph, I can’t help but wonder if the two lines really are divergent?

I think the lower line has a higher gradient, and the upper line has a lower gradient, with the result that they intersect at a high-choice, high-desire point, leaving you both frustrated AND overwhelmed.

This upper segment I propose would be inhabited by the full-on consumerist-careerist.

Dear Tufte I mean, Jacob,
Pictures definitely paint a 1000 words.

Best,
Surio.
–

Hi all,
I saw this great TED talk about the paradox of choice:
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/barry_schwartz_on_the_paradox_of_choice.html

highly recommended!
Daniele

The graph shows desires as horizontal, and choices as vertical. So I am thinking the movement is in choices. Choices being then the driver.
So to be successful (satisfied) one must know the result of the choice made. Choices made are also driven by ability and education. I would make a big mess of doing someone’s brain surgery, so I won’t make that choice. However, I could do a fine job of putting new tile on their kitchen counters so I would do that and both myself and the homeowner would be very satisfied. This is a crazy example, but shows a person making a choice to do something must have a solid basis for choosing to do it.
If a person can lean towards doing what seems to be fulfilling to them, the satisfaction curve is high. Personally I would never want to be a brain surgeon for too many reasons to list here.
If you experience frustration, simply walk away from what is causing the problem. Stop and re-think it out. Why is this happening? In most cases it is a lack of knowledge or outside forces you could not foresee. Change course, move on. Knowledge is power, so it is closely guarded and kept from us.

I don’t understand your graphic. A person cannot control the choices that exist out there (short of closing one’s eyes). Nor do I really believe that a person can control what one desires. The most one can hope for is that the number and extent of desires is not actually an infinte axis, like you’ve shown. For me personally, the 80/20 principle applies. A handful of things I really desire satisfy most of my wants. Everythingelse is gravy really.

My understanding of simplicity is, getting rid of stuff that one does not actually desire/use, and that do not add to satisfaction levels, by getting an accurate handle on what one desires and how badly.