propinquity

The explanation for their propinquity lies not in the creation of some whiz-bang, life-changing, paradigm-bending consumer product, or the shining virtues or particularly fertile minds that grace Silicon Valley’s fruited plain.

It’s what researchers call “propinquity,” being in proximity to others.

Only if the paper is in the middle zone is the pull of propinquity going to matter.

They were competitors and almost certainly did not plan this propinquity.

To borrow the title of Scott Eyman’s smart, generous chronicle, they became “Hank & Jim,” a pair of guys who asked nothing of each other but propinquity.