Mikhail Epstein's definitions

domestican

domestican n Latin domesticus, belonging to the household, from domus, house - someone who preaches the values of domestic life, worships the deities of hearth and home.

He is a sort of a monk, though his monastery is his own house. In a word, he is a domestican.

A typical domestican hates public spaces. Hu prefers hus kitchen and living room to all attractions in the world.

by Mikhail Epstein November 6, 2003

chronocide

chronocide n (Greek khronos, time + Latin cidum, from caedere, to slay; cf. genocide, homicide, parricide) - the murder of time, the violent interruption of historical succession and continuity.

Any revolution is a form of chronocide: the past and present are sacrificed to the future. Any counterrevolution is also a chronocide: the present and the future are sacrificed to the past.

Communism is a chronocide: it destroys the tradition in its leap to the ungrounded future.

Fascism is a chronocide: it brings the society under the spell of the archaic past.

by Mikhail Epstein November 9, 2003

chronocracy

chronocracy n (Greek khronos, time + Greek kratia, power or rule) Ð rule by the laws of time and by the force of temporality; a form of government based on the recognition of time constraints on any form of power and the necessity for periodic change of leaders and transfer of powers on all levels. Under chronocracy, the social life is determined by the regular replacement of political, scientific, economic, and cultural trends, methods, fashions, and personnel in measured periods of time. Presidents, computers, car models, artistic trends, dress cuts, schoool textbookss, etc. have to change periodically to maintain their authoritative status as "new."

Is America a democracy and what does the term "demos" mean as applied to contemporary societies? No doubt, however, that America is a chronocracy, with a rigid system of enforced change on all levels, from political leaders to dress fashions and technological designs.

by Mikhail Epstein November 13, 2003

sanitas insania

sanitas insania (from Latin: sanitas, health + insania, mania.) Ð obsession with health and wellness characteristic of many Americans. Thus, sanitas insania is an oxymoronic phrase. To be obessed with health is unhealthy.

Hugh suffers from sanitas insania, that's why he is unable to be in love with anybody except his own body.

by Mikhail Epstein November 6, 2003

chronomaniac

chronomaniac n (Gr. khronos, time + Gr. mania, obsession, madness; cf. nymphomaniac) - a person obsessed with time and speed; one who attempts to live faster and to control time expenditure up to the smallest units.

He is a chronomaniac. He looks at his watch every minute.

by Mikhail Epstein November 9, 2003

infopause n. (information + pause)

infopause n. (information + pause)

staying away from computers, newspapers and other sources of information in order to recover from informational stress.

The infopause may take from several minutes to several months, depending on the gravity of the initial affliction.

Every business should introduce at least two five-minute infopauses during the working day. All computers and all lights are off. This will refresh employees' ability to process new information.

by Mikhail Epstein November 15, 2003

equiphilia

equiphilia n (Greek aequi, equal + philia, love) - equal love to many persons or things.

It is difficult for Mary to make up her mind. Not that she is indifferent to her admirers but she is now at the point of equiphilia.

Sometimes equiphilia is dangerously close to indifference. Equal love to many means no love at all.

by Mikhail Epstein November 6, 2003