Discard the Old, Establish the New
Updated 2026-08-22
INTRODUCTION
English translation pending.
CORE DEFINITION
The phrase combines ge gu, removing outdated practices, with ding xin, establishing what suits the new era, and it draws on the Ge and Ding hexagrams of the Book of Changes. Its core claim is that successful transformation requires breaking and building in parallel: tearing down without building leaves a vacuum of power and function, while building without removing is dragged down by old interests and inertia. The constraint is that the two operations must be synchronized rather than sequenced.
SCAFFOLDING EFFECT
Reduce cognitive load
- Run two lists: write what must be abolished and what must be built, then check the pairing. - Deploy replacements in parallel: stand up the new mechanism as the old one is removed. - Manage the vacuum: plan for the transition gap so no function is left unowned.
Anchor fast decisions
Transformation couples removal of old structure with construction of new structure; breaking alone leaves functional and power vacuums, while building alone leaves new mechanisms competing against entrenched interests and inertia.
MINIMUM ACTION
In progress 0/1Practice this model in one real situation:
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Source support: Explicit
- zh.wikipedia.orghttps://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%91%A8%E6%98%93verified
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