The paralysis or incoherence that arises when a person, group, or ideology must navigate a world defined by numerous, often conflicting, value axes simultaneously (e.g., liberty vs. security, innovation vs. tradition, equity vs. efficiency). Optimizing for one axis automatically worsens your position on another. There is no perfect point, only a messy, contested frontier of trade-offs.
Example: Designing a content moderation policy. You must balance axes of free speech, user safety, political neutrality, engagement growth, and legal compliance. Maximizing free speech (one axis) may increase hate speech (worsening safety). Perfect neutrality may be impossible as every rule has political implications. This isn't a puzzle with an answer, but an N-Axis Problem of perpetual negotiation and imperfect compromise.
by Dumuabzu February 8, 2026
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