Mikhail Epstein's definitions

noocracy

noocracy n Greek noos, mind, and Greek -kratia, power or rule Ð a system of world government based of the integrated mind of civilization and its transpersonal decisions; syntellect as a ruling principle of the future society.

As the thinking matter increases its mass in nature and geo- and biosphere grow into noosphere, the future of the humanity can be envisioned as noocracy--that is the power of the collective brain rather than separate individuals representing certain social groups or society as whole.

by Mikhail Epstein November 6, 2003

slavior

slavior (to (en)slave + suffix ior, like in savior) Ð the prince of this world, the one who imitates the Savior and promises to save people but makes them slaves.

Outwardly the distinction between Savior and Slavior may be as subtle as one letter difference in their names.

For many old-believers, the Slavior is already here, in our very midst, and they refuse to serve this self-appointed sovereign.

by Mikhail Epstein November 2, 2003

polypath

polypath n. ( Gr. polys, much, many + patheia, suffering) Ð a person with multiple disorders, such as neuropathy, myopathy, sociopathy, chronopathy, etc.

A polymath is a universal genius, a polypath is a universal idiot.

by Mikhail Epstein November 13, 2003

lovedom

lovedom n love + suffix dom; cf. kingdom, stardom Ð the world of love, the totality of loving emotions and attitudes.

Edward VIII was that rare romantic who challenged society by trading his kingdom for lovedom.

Your heart is large enough to love many, but in all your lovedom, can you find a small corner for me?

by Mikhail Epstein November 6, 2003

traf (verb, from "traffic")

traf v (back-formation from traffic) - to drive in heavy traffic, to be held in traffic, to trail in slow traffic.

Back-formation is the creation of a simpler or shorter form from a pre-existing more complex form: "edit" from "editor," "intuit from intuition."
Now, "traf" from "traffic."

I traffed for an hour before I could get home.
I've been traffing for two hours before I could even stop by a gas station to have a cup of coffee.

by Mikhail Epstein November 8, 2003

egonetics

egonetics, n. (ego+net+ics)

weaving a network of self-references, increasing one's presence on the interne.

Egonetics is different from "ego surfing" - a search of your name on the internet (using search engines). Egonetics is an active electronic dispersal of your name, making links to your homepage, using various interactive sites and open forums. It can be done for the sake of an idea or a commercial promotion, but in the absence of ideological or professional motifs, this is a clear case of egonetics.

I am afraid that my colleague uses her office hours for egonetics.

He is not an egoist in the classical sense, he is simply an egonetic.

by Mikhail Epstein November 16, 2003

ifnik (if + suffix nik)

someone whose life, habits and thinking are constructed conditionally.

Don't ask him what he's going to do. A typical ifnik, he will give you a dozen of "ifs."

by Mikhail Epstein October 2, 2003