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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]


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Anders Sandberg / asa@nada.kth.se
2000-03-11