througharound

Througharound is a neologism used to describe a problem-solving strategy that blends direct traversal through an obstacle with indirect navigation around it. The term is applied to both cognitive and physical planning tasks. It denotes a flexible decision-making process in which through (going through a barrier, constraint, or difficult terrain) and around (bypassing or detouring) are both considered, with the chosen path depending on cost, risk, and feasibility.

Etymology and history are uncertain; the word fuses through and around and has appeared in online discussions and design blogs since the 2010s. It has not achieved widespread academic usage and remains largely confined to informal or illustrative contexts.

Applications and usage span several fields. In robotics and path planning, througharound logic can help select between direct routes and detours, balancing energy use and risk. In cognitive science, experiments may test whether people spontaneously adopt througharound strategies when solving mazes or planning routes. In education and game design, througharound can illustrate adaptive thinking and hybrid strategies.

Examples in practice include a grid-based puzzle where a participant might choose to move through a narrow corridor if it reduces steps, otherwise circumnavigate a blocked area. In drone navigation, a througharound choice might involve flying through a corridor when clearance is confirmed, or rerouting around it if weather or airspace constraints apply.

Critique notes that, due to a lack of formal definition and rigorous measurement, througharound risks conflating with established concepts such as path planning, hybrid strategies, or satisficing. Proponents emphasize its usefulness as an intuitive heuristic rather than a precise model.