When that phrase is used to describe an idea/product/concept, it's usually derogatory. It points to the fact that you have an invention that was made with no clear purpose, and now you have to work backwards to find one for it.

In reality, solutions in search of a problem is the unspoken norm. As it ought to be.

There is a corollary in military.

Poor strategists discuss tactics; great strategists discuss logistics.

Tactics alone with can be deployed by anyone, there is no upper hand to be had.

Superior logistics is about delivering on potentiality. Playing that well gives you room to move, expanding optionalities, places you on the higher ground.

A solution/invention/idea that hasn't found its problem also carries an energy of potentiality.

Before it becomes a hammer to every nail, it has the potential to become anything at all. That's why it's exciting.

In my radar, crypto currencies kinda fits this bill. To outsiders it still appears as if it's an attention sucking domain that solves no problem at all. But proponents of decentralized finance are only too aware of its importance.

To a larger extent Urbit is very much looking for a problem. You can tell when you couldn't cite a killer app.

Solutions like these usually solved something on the fundamental layers. Like mathematics, it would take a long time before enough collective solutions climb up to reach a commercial appeal.

It would sound like we should simply focus on problems looking for a solution instead, because those are what capture value.

But that would be a mistake.

A problem-first orientation is a very finite game. In and of itself, that is not wrong but there's a sense of deadness to it once the solution is found.

And unless you're making rockets, there are tons of competitors because the problem is clear for everyone to see.

Chances are you too have a unique set of skills, and you were in search for someone with a problem that you can solve. You too were a solution looking for a problem.

Nothing wrong with a piece of technology doing the same.