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Occam's Razor - WInklings Contest #145

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Attributed to the 14th-century English logician and Franciscan friar, William of Ockham, this principle states that the explanation of any phenomenon should make as few assumptions as possible.

This is often paraphrased as "All other things being equal, the simplest solution is the best."

This is not techinically correct, but is in common usage. It has inspired numerous expressions including the "principle of simplicity", the "KISS principle" (Keep It Simple, Stupid), and in some medical schools, "When you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras".

Apply the message of Occam's Razor in any genre or style that you choose. This contest is open to everyone.

Honorable mentions will be added.

Contest is Over

Contest was judged on December 3, 2008
Rewards: Gold: 1000, Silver: 500, Bronze: 250, Honorable mention: 2 people
Final notes:
Thank you for your entries. Each poem provided fuel for thought. Please look for more Winklings contests.

Contest Winners

Occam's razor...or who shaved the barber?

But we truly just despoil and burn...
My, how the Gods must leer!

by ecrivain01 25 lines, 23 comments, on May 2 1:17 AM 2006. In Personal, Society, Contemporary
Gold trophy winner

• Commented on by judge. Prewrite [remove]
K.I.S.S.

by Amera 17 lines, 20 comments, on Nov 28 11:29 AM 2008. In Thoughts
Silver trophy winner

• Commented on by judge. [remove]
Error: Unable to find finalist item 4789529, it seems to have been deleted :( [remove]
Q E D

by Shenton 16 lines, 4 comments, on Nov 16 5:17 PM 2008
Honorable mention

• Commented on by judge. [remove]
Error: Unable to find finalist item 4450451, it seems to have been deleted :( [remove]

Entries [11]

1 - 11 of 11

Occam's Razor.(Hay(na)ku)

by Billbard 2 lines, 5 comments, on Nov 16 4:28 PM 2008

• Commented on by judge.
Assuming Something

My personal take on
Occam’s Razor is simple:

by poetrandy 17 lines, 7 comments, on Nov 16 4:57 PM 2008. In Contest, Contemporary, Angst, Hope, Life, Personal, Society, Thoughts

• Commented on by judge.
Corporate management

by rbruce 3 lines, 16 comments, on Nov 16 5:55 PM 2008. In Thoughts, Society

• Commented on by judge.
[ a shadow ]

by azure85 3 lines, 3 comments, on Nov 16 6:46 PM 2008. In haiku

• Commented on by judge.
The way things are

I wonder why it makes some people fume
When Occam's Razor cuts them down to size

by cricketjeff 37 lines, 16 comments, on Nov 27 4:06 PM 2008. In Thoughts

• Commented on by judge.

Add a comment

Comments

By me, right now

Adding your comment:
Judith Chandler
November 16, 2008
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I think it works and it's something to keep in mind, perhaps for a piece of poetry for the contest. But my life has taken a bit of a turn and I should REALLY be keeping things simple.
Vera Rich
November 17, 2008
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Pity you do not permit prewritten work If you change your mind, please let me know,