# catch twenty two (dependency)

*Ordinarily means:* A situation where you need to do one thing to qualify for another, but you can't do the first thing without already having the second.

Two conditions that each require the other to be met before either can happen, so no path exists to enter the window where both are true.

- Computed level: L12 (depth in the emergence graph, not abstraction)
- Status: review  ·  Domain: social-systems  ·  Arena: institutional-design

## Emergence
**Emerges from:** [dependence](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-dependence.condition), [window](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-window.range), [parameter](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-parameter.condition), [model](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-model.representation)

**Through:** self-model.reflexive

**Novel properties:**
- paradox.ontological

## Examples
- A job posting requires two years of experience, but no one hires juniors to gain it. *(economics)*
- The F-22 Raptor fleet often grounded because spare parts production requires usage data from active fleets. *(engineering)*
- CRISPR gene editing in human embryos requires validated cell lines, but ethical review boards demand prior validation in embryos. *(biology)*

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*Canonical: https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-catch-twenty-two.dependency*  
*Structured data: https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-catch-twenty-two.dependency.json*  
*Every definition provably resolves to space, time, energy and pattern.*