When someone says that a camel is like a horse designed by committee, they are essentially commenting on how a group's collaborative effort can sometimes result in an oddly shaped or inefficient solution. The image evoked is one where multiple people contributing their ideas to design something might lead to compromises and overcomplication rather than a sleek, efficient outcome.
At its core, the quote suggests that collective decision-making processes can be fraught with challenges such as conflicting opinions, lack of cohesion, and compromise-driven designs that fail to capture the elegance or effectiveness of more focused efforts. In essence, it implies that while group collaboration can lead to innovative ideas and shared responsibility, it often results in overly complex solutions that may not be as functional or aesthetically pleasing as those designed by a single visionary individual.
Alec Issigonis was an English engineer known for designing the iconic Mini car during the 1950s. His work revolutionized automotive design with its compact size and innovative use of space, demonstrating his ability to create efficient solutions through focused engineering rather than committee-driven processes. This quote encapsulates Issigonis's frustration with bureaucratic constraints and highlights his belief in the power of individual creativity over group consensus.
