Post: #1

Does anyone know a better phrase for the 'chicken and egg problem'? For example 'sour grapes', is better phrased as 'cognitive dissonance' (although it might be a specific type of cognitive dissonance).

Alternatively, is there any language that you know of in which this concept can be referred to by a single word?

Specifically I mean the specific type of deadlock where X requires Y, but Y requires X. One example is 'how to start YouTube', since to grow in its capacity as a public video sharing site, it must have videos to get users, but must have users to get videos. Another is 'how to get first job', since employers always require prior experience, but experience requires prior employment.

Post: #2

Causality paradox?

Post: #3

"Catch-22" seems to cover those kind of situations where a result is unattainable because of it's dependence on something that in turn depends on it... etc.

I think "circular reference" or "causality dilemma" would be the respective engineering/logic terms

Post: #4

I don't think the term catch-22 is used correctly though (its about deliberately logically self-defeating rules imposed by a bureaucracy as a device of power), and it still isn't a very good one since its referring to a novel.

Circular reference is also a different situation. I also think 'dilemma' doesn't work because dilemmas are about a choice of two situations, whereas there is no choice that resolves these 'chicken and egg action problems'.

Causality paradox is too broad, since it could refer to other types of causality paradox (such as the famous time travel ones). Perhaps 'mutual causality paradox'? Or 'mutual initiative paradox'? Still a mouthful, would be nice if some language was so advanced they had a noun for this.

Post: #5

The chicken and egg problem is not a real problem because eggs came before chickens.

Post: #6

"damned if you do, damned if you don't"

Post: #7

From what I see there what you have are either paradoxes (you need prior experience to get a job, you need a job to get prior experience) or causality dilemmas (the actual chicken and egg problem).

Post: #8

Damned if you do and damned if you don't, is more words, and describes a completely different situation where either choice you make will be bad.

(04-13-2015 10:15 AM)Menace Wrote:  The chicken and egg problem is not a real problem because eggs came before chickens.

Lol, yes its really the 'chicken and its eggs'.

Post: #9

Mexican Standoff depending on the severity of the situation... and how much each party can afford to lose.