A taxonomy of unsolved problems

Two kinds
of hard.

Classify the reason a problem remains unsolved. Then build the right kind of answer.

Class 1 / Knowledge-limited
Khumanity < Krequired

Humanity does not yet know how.

The required knowledge or capability does not yet exist.

Class 2 / Coordination-limited
RESOURCE
EXISTS
deploy
NEED
EXISTS
Ravailable ≥ Rrequired

Humanity already can.

The resources or capability exist, but fail to be coordinated, transported, allocated, or deployed.

Problems that make the distinction visible.

01Class 1

Fundamental physics

Time, energy, matter, gravity, and capabilities not yet known to be possible.

02Class 2

Global hunger

Food exists. Access, logistics, storage, incentives, and distribution fail.

03Class 2

Housing abundance

Match vacant, underused, or convertible space with people who need safe housing.

04Class 2

Zero-kill shelter America

Transport adoptable pets to homes, fosters, rescues, and regions with available capacity.

Do not confuse the absence of a route with the impossibility of arrival.