Focal Point
Schelling Point
A solution that people will tend to use in the absence of communication, because it seems natural, special, or relevant to them.
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Origin
American economist Thomas Schelling introduced the concept in his 1960 book The Strategy of Conflict. Working at RAND Corporation (1958–1959), Schelling's Cold War analysis of nuclear arms races led to insights about coordination without communication. His classic example: asked where to meet in NYC without planning, most students chose "noon at Grand Central Terminal"—a naturally "salient" solution. The work earned Schelling the 2005 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences for enhancing understanding of conflict resolution.
Updated February 22, 2026