Symbolic Analogy

---
name: symbolic-analogy
description: Compress core contradiction into poetic imagery/oxymoron. Use compressed conflicts to reveal hidden solution directions.
execution: strategy
used-by: synectics
---

# Symbolic Analogy

Compress the core contradiction of a problem into poetic imagery or oxymoron, then use the compressed conflict to reveal hidden solution directions.

## State Ledger

| Resource | Target | Current | % |
|----------|--------|---------|---|
| web-search | 15 | 0 | 0% |
| web-research | 5 | 0 | 0% |
| paper-overview | 15 | 0 | 0% |
| paper-search | 10 | 0 | 0% |
| paper-research | 3 | 0 | 0% |

## HARD-GATE

Cannot exit strategy until ≥80% of each budget line is consumed OR yield targets are met with justification for remaining budget.

## Available Tactics

| Tactic | Role |
|--------|------|
| compressed-conflict | Generate oxymorons and extract idea directions |

## Available SOPs

| SOP | Role |
|-----|------|
| symbolic-compression | Compress contradiction into 2-3 word oxymoron |
| analogy-chain | Deepen symbolic imagery through layers |
| springboard-launch | Convert symbolic insights into solutions |
| synectics-synthesis | Synthesize symbolic analogy outputs |

## Execution Guidance

1. **Identify contradiction**: Find the core tension in the problem
2. **Compress**: Reduce to a 2-3 word oxymoron (e.g., "familiar surprise")
3. **Interpret**: Explore what the oxymoron suggests as solution directions
4. **Deepen**: Chain the symbolic image through analogy layers
5. **Extract**: Convert symbolic insights into concrete mechanisms
6. **Validate**: Check that solutions actually address the original contradiction