M
MASPAR: Shorthand for MAssively PARalell
computers, computers using many simple processors at the same time.
MATAGLAP: Mataglap is an Indonesian word
meaning "dark eye" or, probably, "dilated eye."
It is an indication that someone is about to go berserk and start killing
people at random. I applied the word in Aristoi to a berserk form of
nanotechnology that devoured the
planet. (From Walter
John Williams FAQ). See also grey goo
[First used in the nanotech sense in Aristoi 1992].
MEGATECHNOLOGY (or MEGASCALE ENGINEERING):
Technology using energies, scales or methods far beyond the current
levels (but still bound by physical law). Typical examples are ground-to-orbit
beanstalks, Lofstrom
loops, terraforming,
Dyson spheres, stellar
husbandry and Tipler
cylinders. See also the megatechnology
page.
MEME: Self-reproducing idea or other information
pattern which is propagated in ways similar to that of a gene. See also
the memetics page. [Richard Dawkins,
1976.]
MEMETICS: The study of memes. [Douglas
R. Hofstadter]
MEMIE: (after genie) a thought which, once
out of the mouth, does anything it damn well pleases [Bob Arter, July
1993]
MEMIUS: An effective spreader of ideas [John
McPherson July 1993]
MEMOTYPE: 1. The actual information-content
of a meme, as distinct from its sociotype. 2. A class of similar memes.
(Glenn M. Grant)
MEMOID (or MEMEOID): True believer
in a meme and willing to die for it. [Keith Henson, 1985]
MEHUM: Derogatory term for "mere human".
[from the Illuminatus! Trilogy by Wilson and Shea].
MERCHANCY, n. A proprietary, commerce-oriented
quasi-state which claims sovereignty over its land and property but
not the allegiance of its citizens/clients; e.g. Mr Lee's Greater Hong
Kong in Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson. [Anton Sherwood, 1994]
MESOSCALE: A device or structure larger
than the nanoscale (10^-9 m) and smaller than the megascale; the exact
size depends heavily on the context and usually ranges between very
large nanodevices (10^-7 m) and the human scale (1 m).
MINDKIND: All intelligent beings.
MOLMAC: Molecular machine [Kilian, Gryphon]
MORPHOLOGICAL FREEDOM: The
ability to alter bodily form at will through technologies such as surgery,
genetic engineering, nanotechnology,
uploading. [Max More, April 1992]
MUTUAL REALITY: Multi-user virtual
reality. [Benjamin Jay Britton 1996]
Transhuman Page