Explore the Lorenz Lecture from the 2017 AGU Fall Meeting, delivered by William Klein of Boston University. Delve into the importance of simple models in understanding complex systems, focusing on blocks and springs, residual stress, and the Awami Christensen Model. Examine properties, data analysis, and data collapse techniques while investigating Gutenberg-Richter scaling and fault behavior. Gain insights into the implications of these concepts and participate in a thought-provoking Q&A session in this 51-minute conference talk that bridges theoretical physics with practical applications in geophysics.