Thinking Space

MacGyver principle, named after a fictional character from a 1980’s American television show, refers to the ability to improvise and find creative solutions to problems with limited resources. It suggests to look around and see what you can build using found objects in the environment. You can extend this further to communicate your message for people to relate using the known things around us.

Consider some examples by Chip Heath on using the simple and known terms to make the message easier to understand

Message: A billion is 1000 times greater than a million

Simpler message – A million seconds is 12 days. A billion seconds is 32 years.

Message: A single M&M has 4 calories

Simpler message: In order to burn off the calories in a single M&M, you will have to walk two flights of stairs.