EXPERIMENTAL ARCHAEOLOGY
Scientific studies designed to discover processes that produced and/or modified artifacts and sites.
QUANTUM MIND
A hypothesis proposing that quantum mechanics, such as quantum entanglement and super-position, can help explain the nature of consciousness.
CAUSALITY
The relationship between two events, the cause and the effect, wherein the second event is seen as a consequence of the first.
YANTRA
A Sanskrit word meaning instrument or machine. Often expressed as a geometric pattern or symbol designed to unlock the mind.
TECHNOLOGICAL ESCALATION
A situation where two or more parties resort to continuous technological improvement in an attempt to defeat each other.
SYZYGY
The alignment of three celestial bodies, such as the sun, moon, and earth during a solar or lunar eclipse.
APHORISM
A concisely and cleverly expressed observation which contains a general subjective truth, eg. “All war is based on deception.” - Sun Tzu
MANTRA
From the Sanskrit 'Manas' - mind and 'Trayate' - to free. A repeated statement designed to enable transformation of the consciousness.
MULTIVERSE
A hypothetical set of multiple, or perhaps infinite, parallel universes containing all possible alternate configurations of reality. In a multiverse, the universe we experience is only one instance; one particular configuration of a massive set of variables.
OCCAM'S RAZOR
A principle designed to enable simple solutions to complex logical problems. When multiple possible explanations for a phenomenon exist, the explanation requiring the fewest assumptions should be selected.
MIND-BODY PROBLEM
The philosophical problem of how the material brain interacts with the immaterial consciousness.
COUNTERFACTUAL HISTORY
A form of historical study that attempts to answer 'What if?' questions by imagining a timeline in which a key historical event either did not occur or had a different outcome.
BUTTERFLY EFFECT
A small change at one place in a system resulting in massive differences at a later state.
LOCKSTEP
Intelligence community lingo. When a surveillance team is following so close on foot they seem to be moving in lockstep with the target.
WERNICKE'S AREA
An area of the human brain involved in the understanding of written and spoken language
BRUSH PASS
A method of exchanging something covertly. Two agents walk past each other, surreptitiously passing an item from one person to another as they pass.
GREY MARKET
The trade of items through channels which, while legal, are unauthorized and unintended by the original creator of the items.
LEVERAGE
The ability to, during a negotiation, influence the other party or parties to move closer to one's own desired position.
SWOT ANALYSIS
An evaluation tool utilizing a 2×2 matrix designed to help determine the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats present in a venture, project or situation.
SYMP
A disparaging term for the Enlightened used by zealous Resistance agents, who view the Enlightened as Shaper sympathizers.
BLACK CHAMBER
A covert government office which intercepts suspicious mail, employing a team of cryptanalysts to decipher messages, a centuries-old practice.
PORTER FIVE FORCES ANALYSIS
An analysis framework designed to help determine the competitive intensity of a market by examining five key contributing factors, including the threat of new competitors arising, the bargaining power of buyers and suppliers, and competitive rivalry.
SAPIR-WHORF HYPOTHESIS
The idea that the structure of a language influences the way its speakers think and behave.