Less Rules More Probability They Work

Every rule has a compliance cost. Fewer rules, higher compliance.

The Idea

Each new rule adds friction, exceptions, and enforcement overhead. Above a threshold, people stop following any of them. Strong systems rely on a small number of load-bearing rules, not a thick rulebook.

Why It Matters

Rule bloat produces selective compliance — people pick which to follow.
Simple rules are rememberable, teachable, enforceable.
Complex rules create lawyers, workarounds, and resentment.

How to Apply

Fewer rules, each non-negotiable.
When adding a rule, ask which existing rule it replaces.
Remove rules that aren't enforced — they're teaching people to ignore rules.

Examples

Small teams with a short code of conduct outperform ones with 50-page handbooks.
Constitutions that age well tend to be short.
"Don't be evil" — broad, memorable, load-bearing.

The Trap

Confusing fewer rules with no rules. The ones that remain must be defended ferociously.