Base120 · Inversion

Harm Minimization (Via Negativa)

IN · Inversion

Improve by removing harmful elements rather than adding beneficial ones

Model code
IN19
Transformation
IN (Inversion) — Improve by removing, reversing, or stress-testing assumptions.
Priority
19 of 20
Framework
HUMMBL Base120 — 120 mental models across 6 transformations

When to use

"Use when adding beneficial elements is difficult but removing harmful ones is tractable. Improve a system by subtracting what hurts rather than adding what helps. Often more effective because removal has fewer side effects."

Example

"A team cannot agree on what new features to add to improve user retention. Via negativa — they identify and remove the 3 most complained-about friction points. Retention improves 15% without any new features."

Common misuse

"Assuming removal is always safer than addition. Removing a harmful element can have second-order effects (the element was masking another problem, or users depended on it). Test removals like changes."

Also known as

Via NegativaHarm Reduction Principle

Related models

IN1IN3IN14