Reframing the Impossible

When I hear “X is impossible”, I like to reframe the issue. Instead of making a statement, why not ask a question? Try these out:

• “What would make X possible?”
• “What are three things, if changed, would cast doubt on the presumed impossibility of X?”
• “What constraints, if relaxed, could make X possible?”

If you take the time to deeply reflect on your goals and the constraints (as you see them), you might find other solutions you haven’t yet considered.

Why are these questions useful?

These kinds of questions encourage us to flip problems on their head. Instead of justifying an existing position, they encourage us to disprove it. I find this kind of approach (which reminds me of one key part of the scientific mindset) to be fun, intellectually honest, and fruitful.

You might think of this reframing in an algorithmic way as well. Instead of thinking of your problem as a forward assertion, think of it as reverse search. Here are some examples:

• In the context of computer security, it is tempting for developers to argue for security in the “Attack A is impossible because we have defense D.” format. However, hackers frame the problem in reverse, e.g. “What subsystems, if they behave slightly differently, might make Attack A possible?”
• In the context of designing a new UI, it is tempting to say “We can’t add feature X without breaking our product vision.” That kind of argument sometimes can close off your thinking. Isn’t it better to ask this: “What would have to happen to make features X and Y co-exist?”
• In the context of designing a database, one might say “The CAP theorem makes having both A and B impossible.” Why not ask “What constraints can we relax?” that might lead to “What happens if we don’t require A and B to co-exist perfectly?” That kind of thinking leads to databases such as DynamoDB and Riak with tunable tradeoff between consistency, availability, and partition tolerance.

I certainly can’t guarantee that reframing statements into open-ended questions will make the impossible possible. Maybe you can solve your problem by skirting the impossible. Or maybe the impossibility claim wasn’t as strong as you thought.

Try it! It may change the way you think and approach problems.