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Ge to Gh

Gegton X

Theocratic bureaucracy, one of the Five Capitals of the Negentropy Alliance.

The Gehenna Incident

extremely ambitious megascale engineering project in the M50 cluster in Monoceros, attempted by the archailect Verifex in 8834

Using replicating femtotech e tried to fuse several stars into a superstructure of unknown function. But e failed (or as some faithful claim, it was the plan all along) and the stars explode in supernovae. Verifex apparently escaped, and is rumoured to remain in the remnants of the cluster; it is these days usually called Lucifer and the cluster the Gehenna cluster. As the surrounding space was densely inhabited by various independent cultures, the radiation blast threatened the existence of trillions of beings. Almost all nearby unshielded cultures and habitats that did not avail themselves of Emple-dokcetic shielding technology were destroyed

Anders Sandberg

GELF

[Genetically Engineered Life Form] An old First Federation term, which ever so often comes back into favour, for sapient custom-made lifeforms created through significant or total genetic engineering. Although genetic modification in a mild to moderate sense is ubiquitous today, GELF is generally used to refer to those tweaks and splices that are "vatgrown" usually for custom work by megacorporations. Because of their corporate nature, GELFs find it difficult to function outside the Company, and many freed or escaped GELFs become involved in anti-social behaviour or exist only through the kindness of other sentients who take them in. For this reason gelfs are often treated as pariahs in most near-baseline and even many superbright societies.

M Alan Kazlev

Geminga

the sacred star of the Geminga Orthodoxy, and one of the closest pulsars to Sol. It is believed to be the remnant of a supernova that exploded 100,000 years ago, creating the local bubble

Anders Sandberg science link

Geminga Orthodoxy

gene

ordered sequence of nucleotides located in a particular locus on a particular chromosome that encodes a specific instructions for the cell, generally biochemical material, either RNA or protein. It includes regions involved in regulation of expression and regions that code for a specific functional product.

gene expression

The process by which a gene's coded information is converted into the structures present and operating in the cell. In terragens, expressed genes include both those that are transcribed into mRNA and then translated into protein, and those that are transcribed into RNA but not translated into protein. There are also many specialised bionanotech applications and products; and often involves carefully tweaking the gene product and expression to get just the right result.

genehacker

[1] One who creates genemods for fun or profit. A popular and widespread hobby/profession. Requires a comprehensive knowledge of genetics and gengineering. Many genehackers have an impressive collection of gene-splicing bionano, and usually sport distinct biomods and genemods of their own design
[2]A person who illegally sequence the genome of a gengineered organism in order to retro-engineer it. Not unlike Information Age and later IT-pirates hacking into computer source-code.

[1]M Alan Kazlev, [2] David Hallberg

Genematode

Following the outbreak of retroviral typhoid on the Luna settlement at Flamsteed crater in 377 a.t., Genetek developed a modified nematode as an antiviral/antibacterial agent.At first expensive the treatment soon became indispensable.

Produced in the liver and bone marrow by the host as an inheritable tweak, the Genematode can pass through the smallest capillary and enter cells with negligible damage due to its threadlike design. Homing on genetic material it checks the DNA against the triple copy in its own nucleus. If the DNA is alien it destroys it, similarly it constantly checks its own DNA copy to copy.

This defence system eliminates cells under viral attack, and cells with random mutations. Viruses in the bloodstream can often be caught by the associated Viraphore bionano system, a protein device that randomly samples any foreign body in the plasma, and if it does not conform to a familiar pattern, signals the Genematode chemically for genetic sampling and destruction if necessary.

With modifications throughout history to allow for friendly bio- DNAdevices in some advanced clades, this system or one of many alternatives is now in the basic genome of all but the most isolated clades and allows interstellar and interclade contact without fear of cross-infection.

Any infectious disease now afflicting Terragen space is almost certain to have been maliciously designed to avoid the blood-borne defence systems.

Steve Bowers

Genen

tweak-su culture largely based on the survivors from the old GeneTEK orbitals and associated Genetekker communities, during the first Federation period developed into a major House/Clade

Genentics

Genen Genetekkerese dialect, developed as part of the family historicism of the 2000's. Commonly spoken by Genen, official language on Frog's Head. Part of the Genetekkerese family of languages.

Anders Sandberg

General Relativity

a development by Einstein of his special relativity that includes acceleration and gravity, both of which are explained via the curvature of space-time.

Generalist nodes

Some node-based intellects organize their personalities in the most generic of manners, allowing for any part of their selves to be configured for any task. While providing great flexibility of action, these beings are usually considerably slower in reaction time, but much more resistant to the loss of any number of nodes compared to their Specialist Node brethren.

John B

GeneTEK

Important interplanetary age biotech megacorporation, they incorporated themselves into the "biopunk" Genetekker culture/clade. One of the few corps to survive the nanoswarms, they dominated the First Federation biotech industry, before ossifying into House Genen. Some small hyperturing-run neo-GeneTEK type biocorporations can still be found flourishing in the Zoeific Biopolity to this day

M. Alan Kazlev

Genetekker

Early superior/tweak biocorporation culture and later superpower of the middle and late Interplanetary and Nanotech Age, internalized to the Jupiter moons and the outer Sol System, developed into a number of clades. A number of nearby star systems were colonized by Genetekkers. Some first federation age Genetekkers became the Genen

M Alan Kazlev

genetic algorithm

Any algorithm which seeks to solve a problem by considering numerous possibilities at once, ranking them according to some standard of fitness, and then combining ("breeding") the fittest in some way. In other words, any algorithm which imitates natural selection.

Transhumanist Terminology

Genetic and memetic copyright violations

Making bootleg clones of famous people.

Genetics

The study of heredity, genes, and the genome, both terragen and alien (this latter is sometimes called xenogenetics). Includes also the mapping of the genotype with the phenotype, simulation of past and future inheritance and evolutionary paths, and the basic theory behind gengineering

Genetic Engineering

See Gengineering

Gengineer Vehicle Buddhism

Interplanetary age Genetekker development of Vajrayana/Buddhist Tantra that rejects the asceticism of orthodox Buddhism. It still has a small following among a few Genetekker-descended groups in the Sol System and a few other old core worlds

M.Alan Kazlev

Gengineer Republic

Interplanetary Age Genetekker dominated polity, actually a loose and squabbling alliance, encompassing most of the tweak and superior bases and colonies of the outer planets. With their developing Jupiter mining industry (He3), the Genetekkers became like the Oil producing Arab states of several centuries earlier on Earth - very powerful and wealthy through energy monopolies. Later this advantage was lost through the CisLunar orbital alliance and megacorp development of amat farms. However the Genetekkers maintained a superiority in gengineering right up to to the nanoswarms. During the interplanetary dark ages they moved outward, protected their habitats with blue goo, and eventually developed into the mighty House Genen

M Alan Kazlev

Gengineering, Geneering

The development and application of scientific methods, procedures, and technologies that permit direct manipulation of genetic material in order to alter the hereditary traits of a cell, organism, or population

One of the most important and widely practised professions in the galaxy, gengineering is the practical development of genetics, and involves transplanting or replicating genes from other organisms or templates into the host chromosomes in order to repair defects, enhance inherited traits, or simply create completely new organisms. A few of the multiplicity of varied uses include low-tech and low-maintenance manufacturing of complex proteins, hormones, enzymes, etc via bacterial biotech, biobot and biomachine control and design, genehacking and genmod research, development and application, creating exotic or improved plant and animals, cloning, tweaking human and other genotypes to survive under exotic conditions, creating genetic superiors, provolving animals (and even plants) to 0<<1 sentience or above, and splicing terragen and xeno biota to create completely novel organisms. The best gengineers today come from the Terran Federation, the Zoeific Biopolity and the TRHN. Some ancient houses like the Genen have acquired great wealth and prestige through gengineering occupations and investment.

M.Alan Kazlev, modified from the original write-up by Robert J. Hall

genie

An AI combined with an assembler or other universal constructor, programmed to build anything the owner wishes. A form of Santa Machine. This requires a high level of AI and nanotechnology.

modified from Transhumanist Terminology

genmod

genetic modification/ genehack module. Can be phenotypic (modify phenotype only), genotypic (modify germ-cells only), or both. Note a phenotypic modded cell when cloned will have the same affect as a genotypic mod. Most genemods today are genomically modular, and carefully labelled and wetwared to ensure a computability test is run with the user's genome, before allowing insertion. Even so, it is advisable to ensure one's genome is backed up, even when using reputable brands.

M Alan Kazlev

genome

The total genetic material in the chromosomes of a particular organism, containing the genetic blueprint of the entire organism. Its size is generally given as its total number of base pairs.

genotype

hereditary constitution of an individual, it's genome. Contrast with phenotype

genotypic augmentation

Biological or genetic modification or augmentation that effects the genotype only.

It does not alter the characteristics of the user, or of clones from the user's somatic cells, but it does modify that of all of the user's offspring. Contrast with phenotypic augmentation

M.Alan Kazlev

genus

In the Linnean system of classification, a monophyletic taxon of closely related and similar biological organisms. A genus contains one or more species. A group of similar genera forms a family. In the Linnean name of an organism, the first name is its genus, the second, the species.

geochemistry

The study of materials and chemical reactions in rocks, minerals, magma, seawater, and soil.

geography

The study of how natural geological forces, and introduced nanecologies, individuals and societies, and megascale projects shape the surface of a planet

Includes the study of how nanecologies, isolationist ai, and introduced biota, biont and aioid individuals and societies shape and organize the landscape and climate according to their needs. Various included and overlapping fields are population density and distribution, cityscapes, transportation, land and resource use, the impact of technology, feng shui, nano-development, local trade, and regional development

M.Alan Kazlev, modified from the original write-up by Robert J. Hall

geologist

One who studies or practises geology

While most geologists in the long inhabited and colonised regions of space are hobbyists and amateurs, most scientific, colonization, and interstellar surveying expeditions and deep space probe missions include at least one geologist (biont, vec, ai, or turingrade expert system) and usually several when mapping and exploring new solar systems, terraforming likely planets. Geologists are also consulted by prospectors, surveyors or developers when searching for valuable minerals, water, natural gas, or other useful planetary resources, selecting a good site for a habitation dome or mining operation on an unexplored or little known planet, and so on.

M.Alan Kazlev, modified from the original write-up by Robert J. Hall

geology

the study of a planet or moon's structure, including rocks and other surface materials.

An important science that includes examination and analysis of the structure, composition, and history of a terrestrial body's surface and interior, understanding, classification and analysis of various naturally occurring rock types, understanding geochemistry, tectonic forces, erosion, glaciation, and volcanism, geophysics, mapping the geological history of a moon, asteroid, or planetary body, and so on. A sub-division of planetology

M.Alan Kazlev, modified from the original write-up by Robert J. Hall

geological time, geological time scale

The history of a Terrestrial Class planet in terms of its formation and major stages of development. It is usually measured in many millions of years. The divisions used (from the largest (longest time) to the smallest (shortest time period) are: eon, era, period, epoch, and age.

geophysics

The study of the structure and dynamic behaviour of terrestrial moons and planets.

Includes elements of geology, applied physics, and planetology; study of the geosphere mapping the internal planetary structure; the properties of rock within a planet; planetary formation, development, tectonics and seismology; the nature, history and evolution of the planetary magnetic field if any; and options for terraforming and/or megascale engineering.

M.Alan Kazlev, modified from the original write-up by Robert J. Hall

geosphere

In a Terrestrial Class planet, the rocky mass of the world, everything apart from atmosphere and ocean.

In the case of Gaian Type terrestrial planets includes continental and oceanic crust as well as the various layers of the planet's interior. The interior of the Terrestrial Class in general and the Gaian Types in particular is layered both chemically and mechanically. While some terrestrial class worlds have a static geosphere, in almost all Gaian Types worlds and some other terrestrial types the geosphere is active, with the crust is in a constant state of motion that gives rise to movement of the continents. The study of the geosphere is known as geology

geostationary orbit (GSO)

a satellite, orbital, or ship, that remains over the same spot over the primary (over the equator). The orbital period also matches the primary's rotational period. A geostationary orbit is geosynchronous, circular and has zero inclination. There is only one geostationary orbit per celestial body.

geosynchronous orbit (GEO)

a satellite, orbital, or ship, whose orbital period matches the primary's rotational period. The satellite remains near the same spot over the primary (over the equator).

Gerkletoss

Multispecies utopian civilisation that developed on one of the Black Acropolis dysons; consisted of human baselines, tweaks, aioids, neodolphin provolves from Hwii, and an unusual gelf-clade known as the Ultimates

Germyn

brown dwarf cluster; 8 LY from Ridgwell, occupied by Negentropist forces during the Version War.

Gerontomorphism

side effect of some forms of longevity nanotech. Whilst the metabolism and functioning of the body can be kept youthful, certain gerontological tendencies such as lengthening of the cartilage of the nose and ears, enlarged chin, and increased skin area (resulting in wrinkles) remain. These can all be easily rectified with cosmetic bodysculpting.

M.Alan Kazlev

Gestgangs

Rumoured, no one knows if they're real or not. Or rather, those who know aren't telling. Gestgangs are renegade group minds that, according to rumour, lurk in cities and kidnap ordinary individuals to force them into the group mind. Many scholars consider this to be one more form of urban folklore.

Michael Beck

GEvidian (also, GEvidan)

Late Federation and Empires Age hyperturing, maverick gengineer hyperturing and lazurogenicist, responsible for the creation of many dinosaur provolve races

Gevurah

"Severity", "Judgement". Originally the fifth of the ten traditional sefirot of Kabbalah and Hermeticism. Later - especially among Cyberhermetics and Neohermetics came to designate the archailect-cluster of the Negentropy Alliance. Also the name of one of the ranks of the Keterist toposophic

geyser

jet of hot liquid or gas that shoots from a crack in the crust of a Terrestrial Class planet or moon.

Ghane III

Gaian Type world originally of Hyl Op culture, now more traditionally Solarian

Anders Sandberg

Ghedhia-9

Zoeific Lifegiver and author of a number of siddoptimic clades (transcended 6349)

Originally a First Federation SI:1 Bioteknics Inc hyperturing, during the Age of Emergence (in 3681) e joined the Zoeific Biopolity. In 3912 e ascended to the toposophic of SI:2 Lifegivers. Beginning in 2528 e became fascinated with the issue of siddhis, and the creation of siddoptimal neogens. Their followed a long period of research and sending eir agents and avatars to various parts of known space. In 4732, e migrated eir entire ISO to Harbinger following reopening of the stargates after the Version War, and established eir own BioLab there during the Construction of the Second Shell period (early ComEmp, about 4890 onwards). In 5291 Ghedhia-9 succeeding in creating eir first siddha clade, the Patanjali Class Neogen. These were followed by successive designs, including the Tilopa, Naropa, Marpa, and Milarepa Classes (after historical yogis of Old Earth Tibet) These were followed by the Maitryanath and Goraknath Classes (after Old Earth tantrics), and the Appollonius and Yessus Classes (after Old Earth miracle workers). In 6349 e released these and other clades into the cosmos, with the words "You have your freedom. Go now, my beloveds. I will always be with you" (approx. Baseline translation), and rapidly transcended to SI:3 and above, merging with the Harbinger Archailect, although one of eir Copies remained at SI:2 to take up a study of mythopoetic glyphs in insect bioborg provolves as subliminal nanosiddhics

M.Alan Kazlev

Ghost Interface (alias Washu pad)

Device in which the computer holographically projects an interface screen in some area near the user. The screen could be "touch" sensitive, with the computer monitoring phalangial position in relation to the projected image, or view-screen and "keyboard" can be separate projections. Ghost interfaces are usually activated either by a command word or easy hand gesture.

At its invention the Ghost interface was a bit difficult for many typists and data entry personnel to get used to at first due to the fact that there was no tactile resistance as a normal, solid-state keyboard or touch-screen would have.

The computational, projecting, and sensing elements were usually contained in a small hand sized housing stored somewhere exposed on the user's body. In rarer cases these elements were incorporated into a larger vehicle or institutional computer system, although in these cases the advantages of using good VR interfacing usually superseded those of a Ghost Interface.

Solid state interfaces, of course, were never entirely replaced by the Ghost Interface. But the Ghost Interface did add to the cornucopia of interface techniques available at the time such as the Gibson Jack, and was a step in the path toward more advanced techniques such as the Wraith Interface (which employed aerosol nano-machines for a more tangible and accurate tactile interface) and the well known Utility Fog style of interface.

Ghost interfaces were initially developed early in the Interplanetary period and continued in wide use up to and throughout really the Nanoswarm period. During and after the nanoswarm period there developed a sort of psychological duality about things like nanotech. On the one hand it just about wiped out civilization (nanoswarms). On the other hand it was vital to the survival of civilization (blue goo). This provided a lot of thesis material for psychological historians of later eras. Ambivalence about nanotech continued until well into the Age of Expansion. All throughout this period, ghost interfaces were popular as they provided a tech as flexible (or nearly) as a fog or nanotech interface without (probably) requiring nanotech to manufacture.

It was after the nano-swarms at some point that the Wraith Interface came about. Before this time nanites were probably considered more of a technical/industrial application, rather than something used for luxury/domestic purposes.

In more advanced tech areas they use what ever type of interface seems best for a particular application. It might not be uncommon to have a particular piece of equipment that has several different types of interfaces. Although as you mention this might be due more to tradition and aesthetics rather than sheer utility.

Less advanced tech worlds tend to keep their interfaces (and other components) more separate to some degree, since it's easier to fix things that are less complicated, and easier fix modular things rather than totally integrated systems.

In the current era Ghost interfaces are still employed by a small portion of the civilized galaxy, either due to tradition, fashion or personal user preference (estimates of SI:<1.users are generally around 0.0003% )

Other ways that the 'tablet' equivalent may be carried include:

Beltbuckle (NuevaTexas! Yeee-HAW!)
Arm band. (now the barbarian hero has a reason for that big brass thing around his biceps!)
Tiara/gem over the 'third eye'
Shoulder pad - good for getting earphones up to the ear and a good field of view around the wearer, esp. if both shoulders are covered.
Skullcap/helmet. Very popular, probably, due to access to major nerve trunks, ears, eyes, mouth, etc.

Peter Kisner, with additional notes by Todd Drashner, Pran and John B

The Ghost Net

Colloquial name given to the hypothetical communication network employed by the Backgrounders and other Hider clades.

Although never actually proven to exist the Ghost Net is a popular topic among those given over to more paranoid inclinations and conspiracy theories. Depending on who is asked among these groups, the Ghost Net is either an independent, hyper-encrypted normal space network deployed in deep space by the Hiders or it is a secret network of encrypted communications that is piggybacked onto the Known Net by the Hiders. Or it is some combination of both. The whole idea is generally dismissed as ridiculous by less credible minds except for the nagging realization that the various Hider clades exist, that at least some of them are apparently in communication with each other and that this communication must be taking place somehow.

Todd Drashner

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