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Q: Cultural reference for complex concept. ( No Answer,   8 Comments )
Question  
Subject: Cultural reference for complex concept.
Category: Relationships and Society > Cultures
Asked by: judson-ga
List Price: $25.00
Posted: 11 Nov 2006 23:25 PST
Expires: 11 Dec 2006 23:25 PST
Question ID: 782016
What is a word, in any language, for the concept of solving a problem
within or created by a set of unnecessary, even disadvantageous,
constraints.

An example would be padding the top frame of doors that you make 5
feet high rather than make the frame larger.

I am looking for any conceptualization of this idea by any culture or
language. Stories about it would be great, or just the word.

Request for Question Clarification by umiat-ga on 11 Nov 2006 23:37 PST
Color me simple, but it sound like "adapt" -  "adapting" - or
"adaption" would fit the bill. Yes?

To make suitable to or fit for a specific use or situation.
http://www.answers.com/topic/adapt

Request for Question Clarification by sublime1-ga on 12 Nov 2006 00:08 PST
judson...

The first thing that comes to mind is 'a conundrum', one of the
meanings of which is, "an intricate and difficult problem".

This could easily be the closest adaptation to, "an intricate
and UNNECCESARILY difficult problem".

Let me know what you think...

sublime1-ga

Clarification of Question by judson-ga on 12 Nov 2006 01:01 PST
No, I was hoping for the concept you also include the idea that the
constraints are unnecessary, or not real. In the door example the
designer _should_ make the door higher.

If you want to use "adapt" the definition would be something like: an
efficient adaptation to perceived (though nonexistent) constraints,
making the total adaptation inefficient.

I am a native English speaker, and am not expecting a normal English
word. I'm hoping for some other cultural reference, or perhaps a
technical English term from a field like systems theory or psychology.
Answer  
There is no answer at this time.

Comments  
Subject: Re: Cultural reference for complex concept.
From: frde-ga on 12 Nov 2006 06:23 PST
 
In the UK we call it 'bodging'
Subject: Re: Cultural reference for complex concept.
From: myoarin-ga on 12 Nov 2006 09:21 PST
 
Perhaps a bastardized or misbegotten solution?
Subject: Re: Cultural reference for complex concept.
From: sublime1-ga on 12 Nov 2006 11:21 PST
 
'Folly' comes to mind.
Subject: Re: Cultural reference for complex concept.
From: pinkfreud-ga on 12 Nov 2006 11:46 PST
 
A complex solution to a simple problem might be referred to as a "Rube
Goldberg" solution.

http://www.answers.com/topic/rube-goldberg

http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?va=Rube+Goldberg
Subject: Re: Cultural reference for complex concept.
From: pafalafa-ga on 12 Nov 2006 16:40 PST
 
I'm thinking more MacGyver than Rube Goldberg...being able to solve a
difficult technical problem under severe constraints, without the
tools, or parts,or even (gasp!) the manual.

And the word that comes to mind is 'makeshift', or a bit more
obscurely, 'jury' (as in jury-rig, rather than 12 Angry Men).

How's that grab ya?


paf
Subject: Re: Cultural reference for complex concept.
From: myoarin-ga on 13 Nov 2006 02:28 PST
 
Second suggestion:  ill-conceived
Subject: Re: Cultural reference for complex concept.
From: nectar666-ga on 13 Nov 2006 03:58 PST
 
How about the phrase "A camel is a horse designed by committee"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Design_by_committee

nectar
Subject: Re: Cultural reference for complex concept.
From: nectar666-ga on 18 Nov 2006 13:19 PST
 
As a follow-on, some of the phrases under anti-pattern, although
mostly computer related, seem appropriate.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Anti-patterns
Glad to see Microsoft in there under DLL hell.

or: sophistic, illogical, fallacious.

nectar

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