AI
[Artificial Intelligence] A software that can answer questions or solve problems based on its knowledge, without programmers having predefined its behavior. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103
API
[Application Programming Interface] An interface provided by software, through which other programs can exchange data with the software and issue instructions to it. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
AR
[Augmented Reality] The blending of reality with added digital objects, typically through a headset or glasses. 1 2 3
blockchain
Decentralized, historicized, tamper-proof public ledger. Often used for digital currencies such as Bitcoin. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
burnout
Work overload that leads to a feeling of being overwhelmed, emotional exhaustion, and reduced performance. Can result in inability to work or suicide. 1 2
capitalism
An economic system based on private ownership of the means of production, where production and prices are regulated by the market. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
climate change
The rapid and ongoing alteration of the Earth's climate triggered by human-induced changes to the Earth's ecosystem and atmosphere. →Chapter 3.1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
commune
A group of people living and working together, when this is not based on kinship or romantic relationships. Usually with an ideological orientation. Various concepts exist, ranging in size and scope. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
communism
Ideal of a classless society as a shared community of need. Everything belongs to society as a whole. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
compatibility (people)
With how little conflict and stress multiple people can work and spend time together. Matching communication styles, behaviors, environmental preferences, etc. 1 2 3 4 5 6
decentralized
A system that is distributed across multiple locations and continues to function even if any of these locations fail. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Dunbar’s number
Maximum number of social relationships a person can maintain at the same time. Range 100–250, with 150 most commonly assumed. 1 2 3 4
dystopia
evolution
Gradual improvement (higher fitness) of inherited traits in living organisms over generations, through natural selection. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
exponential function
A function that has the form f(x) = nˣ. Consequently, f(x+1) = n·f(x) →Chapter 2.1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
GDP
[Gross Domestic Product] Total value of all goods and services (after deducting all intermediate inputs) generated in one year. 1 2
GUI
Graphical User Interface of an application (Software). 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
historicized
Data for which all changes are logged, so that one can recreate the state of the data at any given time. 1 2 3 4 5
key pair
Consists of a public and private key. Data encrypted with one of the keys can be decrypted with the other. Enables encrypted data transmission (e.g., https) and proof of authorship (signature). 1 2 3 4 5 6
median
[Central Value] The middle value of a list after it has been sorted by value (for an even number of elements, the average of the two middle values). This makes it robust against outliers. Example: The median of 3, 4, 4, 6, 983 is 4 (average 200) 1 2 3
medium-voltage grid
Alternating current network, usually 20kV. Serves to distribute electricity in a region before it is transformed down to 400V three-phase current for individual households. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
migration (immigration)
Change of permanent place of residence. The conditions under which this is possible are determined by the destination country. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
neural network (artificial)
Inspired by neurons in the brain. Can – using pattern recognition and large amounts of data – solve problems that are too complex for exact rules. AI often relies on neural networks. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
open-source software
Software whose source code is publicly viewable and modifiable, and which may be used and distributed by anyone who adheres to the same rules. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
QR code
Pattern of black and white squares that can be easily read by cameras and is then translated into a link. 1 2 3 4 5
redundancy
Multiple copies exist for the purpose of fail-safety. 1 2 3 4 5 6
referenced
Something that is referred to. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35
science fiction
Narrative (novel/film/...) of a possible future of our present. Depicts technical/societal changes. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
target function
Function whose result (numerical value) an AI attempts to maximize. Thus, it defines what the AI aims to achieve. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
taxes
Payment to the state without entitlement of service in return. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89
transistor
Small electrical component. The foundation of logic circuits in computer chips. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
UBI
[Universal Basic Income] A sum of money paid out monthly by the state to all citizens. Intended to replace the existing social welfare system. →Chapter 5.1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76
utopia
Beautiful future social order, often considered unfeasible though. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20