Fermentation and Distillation...

fermentation
1. a process in which an agent causes an organic substance to break down into simpler substances
2. a state of agitation or turbulent change or development

fermentation. (n.d.). WordNet® 2.1. Retrieved March 27, 2007, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/fermentation


Distillation:
the purification or concentration of a substance, the obtaining of the essence or volatile properties contained in it, or the separation of one substance from another, by such a process.

distillation. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Retrieved March 27, 2007, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/distillation


Interested yet? Why look at fermentation and distillation? I'm glad you asked...

Fermentation - an agent that causes something to break down into simpler parts and/or a state of turbulent change or developement - or as a friend pointed out to me - it is a state of decay. But in addition to the ferementation of certain vegetables and fruits - ideas and thoughts go through fermentation.
Ideas and thoughts are fermented (information or discussion can be the agent that acts upon them or is the beginnings of the turbulent change) but if you do not come through the state of decay, breakdown and turbulence - you just have a mash of rotten pulp.

Distillation - separating one substance from another or purification or concentration of a substance - (the same friend simply referred to this as purification) - again this is not just the point where grapes truly become wine - it is the point where ideas and thoughts become something more.

Fermentation must occur but it must also continue through to distillation to become something viable and/or useful - Are your ideas fermenting and reaching distillation or are they remaining a pile of rotten mash?

What does this have to do with anything? Simplicity - simplicity is purchased at the cost of fermentation and distillation of the complex to the simple or essential elements.

Do you seek complexity or do you put complexity through the process of fermentation and distillation and seek the simple essence?