Cognitive Scaffold

Preparing your thinking workspace

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MENTAL MODEL · M2239

Catch-22

Catch-22
StructureHigh supportLogic
Included
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

A logical paradox and institutional trap. A madman can be grounded from flying missions, but must apply for it himself; if you can apply, it means you fear danger, you are rational (not mad), so you must fly. You cannot escape no matter what.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

- Identifying dead loops: Common in the workplace: "You need work experience to get a job, but you need a job to get work experience." Recognizing a Catch-22 usually requires introducing external variables (such as internships or connections) to break the dead loop.

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

Refers to a self-contradictory rule: to escape a situation, you must satisfy a condition, but satisfying that condition itself requires already being out of the situation, thus forming a dead loop that cannot be resolved within the rules.

MINIMUM ACTION

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Source support: Explicit

  • link
    en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catch-22ZH · Explicit
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