Is the law of parsimony a good thing?

Parsimony is, according to Richard West, "is the simplicity of the explanation provided by the theory. Parsimony requires simplicity without sacrificing completeness" (Introducing Communication Theory: Analysis and Application , p.50). It seems that in our fast paced world all of use want things done quickly or easily. Most people would prefer a simple explanation than an elaborated one. If there's a simpler explanation for things, why go for the complicated one right? But when should you elaborate or simplify a story or an explanation? What are the pros and cons of having an edited explanation on a certain topic? And is the law of parsimony a good thing?

Suppose this morning you saw two girls verbally fighting each other. They were so mad at each other that they started beating each other up. Clare, a friend of one of the girls, asked you some details about what happened and you tell her the full version. In this situation, as the story teller, it is not necessary to have an elaborated story. You just need to tell the important details of the incident and not the "action-per-minute" kind of story or the "full-of-highfalutin-words" kind. Else, Clare won't understand what happened because of too much details or too much flowery words.

But suppose you're asked to explain the Quadratic Formula in math class. Of course you can't just jump from step 4 without explaining step 2 even if it's just cross multiplying 5 and 2 or canceling 3. Your audience may not be all good in math. In this situation you have to elaborate your explanation or your listeners won't understand it due to lack of information.

Let's go back to the previous example. What if the police asked you what happened. As a bystander who saw what happened you really have elaborate the story to help them point out who's fault is it.

So to answer the question "Is the law of parsimony a good thing?" Not all the time. It depends on what condition you are to use it. Since the law says that you simplify the message without taking the complete idea of the message it could be applicable in gossiping or explaining the deeper meaning of William Wordsworth's "The Solitary Reaper". But if you are discussing in math class or your asked to explain the process of injecting CaMV in a corn or how RNA reproduces protein then elaborate it. Just remember if you simplify explanations remember don't lose the important stuff and the too much elaboration is not good also.