Working Adaptive Puzzles

Many problems come in two varieties: adaptive and technical. A good way to approach either is as puzzles. A problem is a deficiency lens implying solutions we lack. Puzzle is an abundance lens implying we have all the pieces and just need to keep experimenting to see how they best go together.

In a technical puzzle, all variables are known, like solving for 2 + 2. It’s a matter of following known rules. In adaptive puzzles, some variables are unknown, like solving for 2 + 2 / x. It’s a matter of making the rules.

Not knowing how to cook is a technical problem. We arrive at a solution by discovering the rules and complying with them.

Wanting to cook but not cooking is an adaptive puzzle. We make progress by experimenting with different rules. Technical puzzles are about solutions; adaptive puzzles are about progress.

Reading, listening, and watching are relevant strategies for technical puzzles because solutions are context-agnostic. Anyone who complies with known rules gets expected solutions.

Experimenting is the strategy of choice for adaptive puzzles because the learning in experimenting is all about better understanding one’s context. All progress is context-specific.

No amount of searching for technical solutions can create progress in adaptive puzzles. That takes an…