---
schema: 1
type: term
title: '**adjacent possible**'
description: >-
  The **adjacent possible** is the idea that a current set of capabilities
  eventually unlocks an entirely new set of capabilities. Attributed to Stuart
  Kauffman and popularized by Steven Johnson.
canonical: >-
  https://liquidgold.cc/channel/everyinc/explore/term/adjacent-possible-5251a7c6b557
markdown: >-
  https://liquidgold.cc/channel/everyinc/explore/term/adjacent-possible-5251a7c6b557.md
llms: null
parent: 'https://liquidgold.cc/channel/everyinc/llms.txt'
channel: everyinc
updated: '2026-10-23T22:12:35.346Z'
language: null
children: []
---


# \*\*adjacent possible\*\*

Canonical: https://liquidgold.cc/channel/everyinc/explore/term/adjacent-possible-5251a7c6b557

Parent: [Channel index](https://liquidgold.cc/channel/everyinc/llms.txt)

## Definition

The **adjacent possible** is the idea that a current set of capabilities eventually unlocks an entirely new set of capabilities. Attributed to Stuart Kauffman and popularized by Steven Johnson.

In the episode, Steve connects the **adjacent possible** to how a company emerges. He attributes the idea to **Stuart Kauffman** at the Santa Fe Institute, popularized by **Steven Johnson** [^b5ece131-b6dd-5800-8dc9-f7b4c9d794bd@201].The adjacent possible describes how a *current set of capabilities* eventually unlocks an *entirely new set of capabilities*. Applied to a company, it means ideas, capabilities, and values emerge over time — things get proven and disproven, and the process becomes organic rather than forced [^b5ece131-b6dd-5800-8dc9-f7b4c9d794bd@201] [^b5ece131-b6dd-5800-8dc9-f7b4c9d794bd@211].Steve uses the term to frame what it is like to start without a fixed vision. Early in fundraising, the honest position was: no venture-backed company, no certainty about what it would become — just an intention to build something special. Five years later, that earlier version couldn't have predicted the outcome [^b5ece131-b6dd-5800-8dc9-f7b4c9d794bd@119] [^b5ece131-b6dd-5800-8dc9-f7b4c9d794bd@130] [^b5ece131-b6dd-5800-8dc9-f7b4c9d794bd@144].- The **adjacent possible**: today's capabilities unlock tomorrow's, which unlocks the next set. - Coined by Stuart Kauffman, popularized by Steven Johnson. - In companies, it means ideas and values **emerge organically** rather than being forced. - Starting without a grand vision lets the unpredictable become possible.