Mikhail Epstein's definitions
virtonautics n (virtual + nautics, from Greek nautikos, of ships, sailing, like in astronautics) Ð experimental exploration and development of virtual worlds.
Now virtonautics is still in embryo, but in the future it will become as common an occupation as aeronautics and astronautics today.
by Mikhail Epstein November 2, 2003
Get the virtonauticsmug. oneirogenic adj (from Greek oneiros, "dream" + genic; cf. photogenic, telegenic) Ð having a propensity to appear in somebody's dreams.
Some people are photogenic while others are oneirogenic. These characteristics rarely coincide. A person who is plain and unnoticeable in real life may haunt our dreams and imagination.
Have you noticed that cats are more oneirogenic than dogs?
To surprise your friends at a party, ask them: "Do you find me "oneirogenic"? If the answer is "yesÓ, ask them to recall your adventures in their dreams.
Have you noticed that cats are more oneirogenic than dogs?
To surprise your friends at a party, ask them: "Do you find me "oneirogenic"? If the answer is "yesÓ, ask them to recall your adventures in their dreams.
by Mikhail Epstein November 2, 2003
Get the oneirogenicmug. hibyer, n. (hi+bye+suffix er)
a marginal acquaintance with whom "hi' and "bye" are the most typical units of verbal exchange; the vocabulary of a minimal relationship.
a marginal acquaintance with whom "hi' and "bye" are the most typical units of verbal exchange; the vocabulary of a minimal relationship.
Do you know this woman? - Not really, we are hibyers.
They were married for ten years, but now they are only hibyers.
I was surprised when hibyer stopped for a more substantial conversation.
They were married for ten years, but now they are only hibyers.
I was surprised when hibyer stopped for a more substantial conversation.
by Mikhail Epstein November 16, 2003
Get the hibyermug. ghostalgia n. (ghost + Gr. algos, pain, grief, distress; cf. nostalgia) Ð a mystical longing or wistful affection for ghosts, angels, miracles, aliens, and other otherworldy characters and mysterious phenomena.
Ghostalgia is a form of nostalgia in that we experience the other world as our genuine lost home.
I am agnostic, but sometimes I feel ghostalgic.
On the eve of deep historical crises, ghostalgia can grip the souls of entire nations.
I am agnostic, but sometimes I feel ghostalgic.
On the eve of deep historical crises, ghostalgia can grip the souls of entire nations.
by Mikhail Epstein November 15, 2003
Get the ghostalgiamug. egonetics, n. (ego+net+ics)
weaving a network of self-references, increasing one's presence on the internet.
Egonetics is different from "ego surfing" - a search of one's own name on the internet (using search engines). Egonetics
is an active electronic dispersal of your name, making links to your homepage, entering various interactive sites and
open forums. It can be done for the sake of an idea or a commercial promotion, but in absence of ideological
or professional motifs, this is a narcissistic case of egonetics.
weaving a network of self-references, increasing one's presence on the internet.
Egonetics is different from "ego surfing" - a search of one's own name on the internet (using search engines). Egonetics
is an active electronic dispersal of your name, making links to your homepage, entering various interactive sites and
open forums. It can be done for the sake of an idea or a commercial promotion, but in absence of ideological
or professional motifs, this is a narcissistic case of egonetics.
I am afraid that my colleague uses her office hours for egonetics.
He is not an egoist in the traditional sense, he is simply an egonetic.
He is not an egoist in the traditional sense, he is simply an egonetic.
by Mikhail Epstein November 16, 2003
Get the egoneticsmug. 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
Get the noocracymug. 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.
Sometimes equiphilia is dangerously close to indifference. Equal love to many means no love at all.
by Mikhail Epstein November 6, 2003
Get the equiphiliamug.