Propensity
Natural tendencies and future direction
Propensity is about trajectory and natural direction—understanding where things are already headed and working with rather than against inherent tendencies. It represents the wisdom of reading momentum, recognizing what wants to happen, and aligning action with natural forces. Propensity teaches that fighting against strong currents is exhausting; finding and riding them is strategic.
Core Question
"Where is this naturally headed, and how can we work with that momentum?"
Beacons
Beacons are guiding principles that help you apply this rune to real decisions.
Trajectory Analysis
If current trends continue, where do we end up? Propensity extrapolates from present momentum.
Natural Tendencies
What does this system or situation want to do? Propensity identifies inherent directions rather than imposed ones.
Leverage Points
Where can small inputs create large directional changes? Propensity finds high-impact interventions.
Path Dependence
How do current choices constrain or enable future options? Propensity thinks in decision trees.
Momentum Assessment
What forces are accelerating or decelerating? Propensity measures the strength of directional forces.
Practical Examples
Deciding whether to adopt an emerging technology
Invoke Propensity to assess technology trajectory: analyze adoption curves, evaluate ecosystem momentum, identify whether this is a passing fad or durable shift, and determine if early adoption provides lasting advantage.
You invest in technologies with strong propensity toward mainstream adoption, avoiding both premature bets and late-mover disadvantage.
Career transition planning
Apply Propensity to your own trajectory: identify skills and interests that are naturally strengthening, notice which opportunities energize versus drain you, and recognize where your natural momentum is taking you.
Rather than forcing a career path that fights your natural inclinations, you align with your propensity, making the transition feel more like flow than struggle.
When to Use Propensity
- When forecasting future scenarios
- When deciding whether to fight or work with existing trends
- When assessing whether current path leads to desired destination
- When identifying high-leverage intervention points
- When natural momentum is strong in any direction
Related Runes
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