📄 89 — Adjacent Possible
Definition
The set of ideas, innovations, or solutions that are one step beyond what currently exists.
When to Use
• Innovation • Product development • Scientific research • Strategic planning
How It Improves Reasoning
It focuses creativity on what is achievable next, not on unrealistic leaps.
Steps
- Identify current capabilities.
- Map nearby possibilities.
- Explore feasible extensions.
- Iterate outward.
Example
The invention of the smartphone enabled the adjacent possible of mobile apps.
Prompts
• “Identify the adjacent possible for this system.” • “What is one step beyond the current state?”