A linguist noted this principle in Ted Chiang's novella "Story of Your Life", during a discussion about Fermat's principle of least time. I am not a native English-speaker and I have not found any info about the above principle. Does "Louise's principle of least closet space" exist? What is it about?
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I believe this is a reference to something that the main character of "Story of Your Life" made up herself, because she is named Louise Banks. I haven't read the story, though, only seen the film based on it, so I can't provide any insight on what her principle regarding closets is.– recognizerCommented Dec 9, 2017 at 9:04
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This "principle" doesn't actually exist, except in Gary's mind. He's using it as an abstract example of reductionism, the way in which physics tries to reduce everything to simple rules and laws that can then be used explain more complex concepts.
Based on other examples of the "principle of [the] least" (1, 2, 3), we can reasonably assume that principle of least closet space relates to the way in which Louise tends to store items in the smallest closet that will handily accommodate the item. Having shared an office with her for several weeks, Gary would be well aware of this quirk.
answered Dec 9, 2017 at 10:42
