Simple

 

A large mangle - a simple principle (compression) being applied with a complex tool

Simple.  Just a plain word, with so many different meanings in the  English language.

Simple:  not compound, consisting of one element, all of one kind, involving only one operation or element or power; not divided into parts 

But there are other meanings, some of them not very complementary.

In weaving we talk about complexity a lot.  Complex cloth.  Complex looms.  Complex concepts.  But ultimately weaving is built on the simple act of interlacing a set of threads with another set.  Warp and weft.

How that interlacement happens can be done entirely by hand (basket weaving for an example), or with 'simple' tools.  Four pegs pounded into the ground, a couple of sticks to attach the warp to, then a weaver who enters the weft into the warp by hand.  Sometimes utilizing a shed stick which can double as a beater.  

Looms are just a device on which a warp can be tensioned, one way or another.  Over the history of human beings, looms developed more mechanical assistance, generally as a way to make the weaving of the cloth more efficient.  Sometimes even more ergonomic, ie less damaging to the weaver.

But efficiency must be taken into the context of the weaver's life.  The more mechanical assistance, the less freedom the weaver may have - or choose to use - because doing the patterning by hand takes longer.  And if you are trying to put food onto the table, doing the job more quickly begins to look a lot more attractive.  OTOH, a drop spindle could be a lot more efficient than a spinning wheel, depending on whether or not you have the ability to sit in one place, or you have a flock of sheep or goats to tend.

In the 21st century, many hand weavers now have access to much more highly mechanized looms.  My AVL had a fly shuttle, dobby, auto cloth advance.  Many people felt that the loom no longer qualified as a 'hand' loom.  And told me so.  Repeatedly.  

Needing to put food on the table, I ignored them because the Dept. of Consumer and Corporate Affairs (as was, at the time) held that a loom that required the weaver to initiate every single action of the loom qualified as a 'hand' loom.

And I carried on, designing and weaving my designs and affixing a label that said 'hand woven'.

As the development of more mechanically complex looms became available to hand weavers, there was an attitude that a loom like a back strap, or warp weighted, or pit loom, were 'primitive'.  Unfortunately that word also has some very negative connotations.  Some modern weavers tended to forget that humans only had those so-called 'primitive' looms to weave on when they wove some of the most incredible textiles, made of yarn so fine we aren't even sure exactly how they were woven.  Somehow the 'primitive' nature of the tools meant that the cloth had to be 'primitive' as well, when they clearly were not.  Mummy wrappings from ancient Egypt are just one of those that springs to mind.

There are still weavers today who prefer to weave on looms that some would call 'primitive'.  I have taken to calling these looms 'simple' because their mechanics may be simple in comparison to other looms, but the cloth being produced is anything but.  

We live within our own 'reality' bubbles.  We assume that what is 'normal' for us is - or should be - normal for others.  We forget that not everyone has access to what we do - sufficient money to purchase yarns, equipment, looms.  Put food on our tables, without worrying too much about this year's harvest or next.  We forget that people live in many different environments and what may be appropriate for us would not work for others.  Over the years I have been working to reduce the effect of my reality on how I perceive others.  One way I have been doing that is to check the words I use when I talk about looms that have less mechanical assistance than mine.  Primitive began to feel inappropriate, given the skill of the people using them, and the quality of the cloth being woven.  

So, while the word 'simple' still has some negative connotations, I now refer to these types of looms as 'simple' rather than 'primitive'.  Checking my language reminds me to appreciate the skill of the people using 'simple' equipment.  The technology they are using may be 'simple' but their skills are highly developed in order to get the most from the tools they can afford, build, repair and maintain.  

My skill set may be different.  It is not 'better'.