Occam's Razor
The Subconscious Fat of Simplicity
"Occam's Razor," I begin, tapping my buttered coffee on the table for emphasis. "It’s one of the greatest principles in logic. The simplest explanation is usually the best. It's also known as the principle of parsimony.”
Mr. Skeptical snorts, crossing his arms dramatically. "Yeah, right. Simpler doesn’t mean better—it just means you’re cutting corners. Reality isn’t some clean, minimalist apartment. It’s messy, layered, complicated."
"But it doesn’t have to be," I counter, leaning forward. "Occam’s Razor is about finding clarity in chaos. It’s not about ignoring complexity; it’s about not inventing unnecessary ones. And that’s why eating an animal-based diet makes sense—it’s the simplest, most effective approach to health."
Mr. Skeptical leans back, smirking. "Oh, here we go. You’re going to twist Occam’s Razor into a love letter to steak, aren’t you?"
I grin. "Don’t act like you didn’t see it coming."
Subconscious Fat at 30,000 Feet
Occam’s Razor—named after the 14th-century philosopher William of Ockham—posits that when faced with competing explanations, the simplest one with the fewest assumptions is often correct.
"So what?" Mr. Skeptical asks, waving a hand. "Simplicity works fine in theory, but life isn’t simple. Especially not health. People are complicated."
"And that’s exactly why we need Occam’s Razor," I reply. "It cuts through the noise. Look at modern dietary advice: ‘Eat the rainbow,’ ‘Count your calories,’ ‘Balance your omega-3 to omega-6 ratio,’ ‘Watch out for oxalates, but don’t forget your fiber.’ It’s a tangled mess of contradictions."
He nods sarcastically. "And your solution is... eat steak?"
"Not just steak," I reply, raising a finger. "But an animal-based diet is the simplest, most nutrient-dense way to eat. No overcomplication. No guesswork. Just what your body evolved to thrive on."
Subconscious Fat at 10,000 Feet
"But isn’t that oversimplifying the problem?" Mr. Skeptical argues, leaning forward. "You’re ignoring all the other variables—genetics, lifestyle, microbiomes. Health isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution."
"It’s not about ignoring variables," I say, shaking my head. "It’s about starting with the simplest hypothesis and building from there. Occam’s Razor doesn’t say the simplest answer is always correct—it says it’s the best place to start. And for diet, what’s simpler than eating the foods humans evolved on for thousands of years?"
He raises an eyebrow. "So you’re saying everyone should ditch their grains, beans, and green smoothies for meat?"
I grin. "Yes. Because the simple explanation—the one that requires the fewest assumptions—is that nutrient-dense, animal-based foods provide everything we need. No complicated formulas, no ‘superfoods,’ no endless lists of supplements."
"But aren’t studies saying the opposite?" he asks, tilting his head. "That plant-based diets are healthier, reduce disease risk, blah blah blah?"
I wave a hand dismissively. "Those studies are riddled with assumptions. They confound variables, rely on food frequency questionnaires, and assume correlation equals causation. Occam’s Razor slices through all that noise."
Subconscious Fat at Eye-Level
"So let me get this straight," Mr. Skeptical says, gesturing broadly. "You’re saying we should throw out complex research and just eat like cavemen?"
"Not throw out research," I clarify. "But recognize when complexity isn’t helping. Modern diets are an experiment—loaded with processed foods, seed oils, and high-carb meals humans never evolved to eat. An animal-based diet is simple, proven, and effective."
He narrows his eyes. "But isn’t it too simple? Isn’t there a risk of missing something important? Like fiber or phytonutrients?"
"That’s the beauty of simplicity," I reply. "Eating nutrient-dense, animal-based foods means you’re not missing anything. You’re getting high-quality protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals without the anti-nutrients that plants come with."
He frowns. "So you’re saying Occam’s Razor works here because the ‘simple’ answer—eat meat—is just... right?"
"Exactly," I say, spreading my hands. "The simplest answer is often the most natural and sustainable. No need for green powders, detox teas, or endless calorie counting. Occam’s Razor leads us back to steak."
Practical Suggestions and Conclusions
"Okay," Mr. Skeptical says, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Let’s say you’re right. How does this play out? What do people eat?"
"Start simple," I reply. "Focus on animal-based foods like meat, eggs, and fish. Maybe eat a little fruit if you want, but keep it straightforward. No need to complicate things with ‘balanced diets’ full of grains and processed foods."
He raises a skeptical eyebrow. "And what about people who say that’s too extreme? Or that it’s bad for the environment?"
I shrug. "Those are assumptions. Occam’s Razor says to focus on what works first—fix your health. Then, if necessary, address other concerns. Most of the time, the solutions are simpler than people think."
He sighs, shaking his head. "So Occam’s Razor is your excuse for eating steak three times a day?"
I grin. "Not an excuse. A principle. The simplest explanation is that steak solves a lot of problems."
He smirks, standing up. "Fine. Occam’s Razor it is. But if this backfires, I’m blaming you."
"It won’t," I reply, raising my buttered coffee in a mock toast. "Because sometimes the simplest solution is the best one."
Be aware.
PS Links on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. Chat GPT was used to research and enhance this post.