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1.Rip Van Winkle: It follows a Dutch-American villager in colonial

America named Rip Van Winkle who meets mysterious Dutchmen,
imbibes their strong liquor and falls deeply asleep in the Catskill
Mountains. He awakes 20 years later to a very changed world, having
missed the American Revolution
2.Slice of life: a depiction of mundane experiences. In theater, slice of
life refers to naturalism, while in literary parlance it is a narrative
technique in which a seemingly arbitrary sequence of events in a
character's life is presented, often lacking plot development, conflict,
and exposition, as well as often having an open ending.
3.Moore's law: is the observation that the number of transistors in an
integrated circuit (IC) doubles approximately every two years. It is not a
law of physics but an empirical relationship based on historical trends. It
is a type of experience-curve law, which quantifies efficiency
improvements in production over time.
4.A megaproject: Is an extremely large-scale construction and
investment project. They are characterized by: large investment
commitment, vast complexity, and long-lasting impact on the economy,
the environment, and society.
They are projects that can reach multi-billion budgets, have a high level
of innovation and complexity, and are affected by several techno-
socioeconomic and organiza- tional challenges.
5.Big Dig: was a megaproject in Boston that rerouted the then-
elevated Central Artery of Interstate 93 that cut across Boston into
the O'Neill Tunnel and built the Ted Williams Tunnel to extend
Interstate 90 to Logan International Airport. Planning for the project
began in 1982; the construction work was carried out between 1991
and 2006; and concluded on December 31, 2007.
The Big Dig was the most expensive highway project in the United
States. Cost overruns, delays, leaks, design flaws, accusations of poor
execution and use of substandard materials, criminal charges, and
arrests plagued it. The project was originally scheduled to be completed
in 1998 at an estimated cost of $2.8 billion ($7.4 billion in 2020).
However, the project was completed in December 2007 at a cost of over
$8.08 billion in 1982 ($21.5 billion in 2020).
6.Channel Tunnel: a 50.46 km undersea railway tunnel, opened in 1994,
that connects Folkestone (England) with Coquelles (France). It is the
only fixed link between the island of Great Britain and the European
mainland. It has the longest underwater section of any tunnel in the
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world. The tunnel carries high-speed Eu- rostar passenger trains and
LeShuttle services for road vehicles and freight trains. It connects end-
to-end with high-speed railway lines.
Plans for a cross-Channel tunnel date back to 1802 but were repeatedly
delayed due to security concerns. Construction finally began in 1988,
led by Eurotunnel, and the tunnel opened in 1994. Initially estimated at
£5.5 billion in 1985, the final cost reached £9 billion (£22.6 billion in
2023).

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7.California High-Speed Rail (CAHSR): a publicly funded high-speed rail

system being developed in California by the California High-Speed Rail
Authority.
The project was authorized by a 2008 statewide ballot to connect the
state's major urban areas and reduce intercity travel times.
California legislative overseers do not expect the 2 hr 40 min target will
be achieved. (like the Canada fiasco)The project has experienced
significant delays and cost overruns caused by management issues,
legal challenges, and a lack of a complete funding commitment.
8.Sejong City: a special self-governing city and the de facto (describes
practices that exist in reality, regardless of the norm) administrative
capital of South Korea. Sejong was founded in 2007 as the new planned
capital of South Korea from many parts of the South Chungcheong
Province to ease congestion in South Korea's current capital and largest
city, Seoul, and encourage investment in the country's central region.
Sejong has a population of 351,007 as of 2020 making it the least-
populous and smallest first-level administrative division in South Korea.
The construction of the city is expected to be completed in 2030, at
which time 500,000 people are expected to live there.
9.Hambantota: the main city in Hambantota District, Sri Lanka (an
island). It's undergoing some major development projects including the
construction of a new sea port and international airport that finished in
2013. These projects and others such as Hambantota Cricket Stadium
are said to form part of the government's plan to transform Hambantota
into the second major urban hub of Sri Lanka, away from Colombo (the
biggest city in Sri Lanka).
10.NEOM: is an arcology and planned city being built by Saudi Arabia.
Launched in 2017 by the crown prince, the site is at the northern tip of
the Red Sea, due east of Egypt across the Gulf of Aqaba and south of
Jordan. The total planned area of Neom is 26,500 km2. Multiple regions
are planned, including a floating industrial complex, a global by
trade hub,
tourist resorts, and a linear city powered renewable
energy sources.
Much of the city is hoped to be completed by 2039, though perts have
some ex pressed skepticism about the ambitions of the ex- ct's
megaproject. The proje costs exceed $1.5 trillion. estimated
Neom's construction has also been criticized for environmental and
human rights violations, with expatriate employees describing abusive
working conditions and members of the local Howeitat tribe protesting
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against their forced expulsion. Around 20,000 people are expected to be

forcibly relocated.
11.Khazar Islands: is a stalled development of artificial
islands 25 k Baku, Azerbaijan consisting of 41 islands
extending 30 km2 into the C

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12.Three Gorges Dam: is a hydroelectric gravity dam that spans the

Yangtze River near Sandouping in central China, downstream of the
Three Gorges. The world's largest power station by installed capacity
(22,500 MW).
The dam's body was completed in 2006; the power plant became fully
operational in 2012.
The dam increases the Yangtze River's shipping capacity and reduces
the likelihood of flooding downstream. As a result, the Chinese
government regards the project as a monumental social and economic
success.
The dam's construction displaced more than 31 million people and
inundated ancient and culturally significant sites. In operation, the dam
has caused some ecological changes, including an increased risk of
landslides.
13.Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge (HZMB): is a 55-kilometer bridge-
tunnel system consisting of a series of three cable-stayed bridges, an
undersea tunnel, and four artificial islands. It is the longest sea crossing
in the world. The HZMB spans the Lingding and Jiuzhou channels,
connecting Hong Kong and Macau with Zhuhai—a major city on the
Pearl River Delta in China.
The bridge was designed to last for 120 years and cost $18.8 billion to
build.
14.New Eurasian Land Bridge: is the southern counterpart to the
Eurasian Land Bridge and runs through China and Central Asia with
possible plans for expansion into South and West Asia. The Eurasian
Land-Bridge system is important as an overland rail link between China
and Europe.
15.PARO (robot): is a therapeutic baby seal robot, intended to be very
cute and to have a calming effect on and elicit emotional responses in
patients of hospitals and nursing homes, similar to animal-assisted
therapy except using robots.
16.Pepper(robot): is a semi-humanoid robot, designed with the
ability to read emotions.
17.Robear: Japan is a pioneer in care automation. It's a prototype lifting
robot.
18.Hug (robot): designed to assist care workers in lifting people, a
demanding physical job.
19.A stimulus: is a change in a living thing's internal or external
environment. This change can be detected by an organism or organ
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using sensitivity and leads to a physiological reaction.

20.The Goldilocks principle: just as Goldilocks in the fairytale Goldilocks
and the Three Bears finds that moderation (in porridge (not too hot, not
too cold), and beds (not too hard, not too soft)) is "just right", in this
context: so too would it seem to be for screen time.
21.Doomscrolling: the act of spending an excessive amount of time
reading large quantities of news, particularly negative news, on the web
and social media. Doom-

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scrolling can also be defined as the excessive consumption of short-form

videos or social media content for an excessive period of time without
stopping.
22.Section 230: protects online platforms from being held legally
responsible for user-generated content. This means that websites like
Facebook, Twitter, and
YouTube cannot be sued for harmful or false posts made by their users.
Instead, only the person who created the content is responsible.
Additionally, it allows platforms to moderate content—removing harmful
or inappropriate posts—without being sued for censorship, as long as
they act in "good faith."
23.fear speech: pressures neutral parties to align with extremist
ideologies.
24.Headline anxiety disorder: a term used to describe the stress and
anxiety that can result from constant exposure to news headlines,
especially those that are negative or alarming. While it's not a formally
recognized medical condition, many people experience symptoms of
worry or dread when they read the news.
25.Clickbait: a text or a thumbnail link that is designed to attract
attention and to entice users to follow ("click") that link and view, read,
stream or listen to the linked piece of online content, being typically
deceptive, sensationalized, or otherwise misleading. A "teaser" aims to
exploit the "curiosity gap", providing just enough information to make
readers of news websites curious, but not enough to satisfy their
curiosity without clicking through to the linked content.
26.Clickbait headlines: like normal clickbait but it often adds an element
of dishon- esty, using enticements that do not accurately reflect the
content being delivered.
27.The Boston Marathon bombing: was an Islamist domestic terrorist
attack that took place during the 117th annual Boston Marathon on
April 15, 2013. Brothers Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev planted two
homemade pressure cooker bombs that detonated near the finish line
of the race 14 seconds and 190 m apart. Three people were killed and
hundreds injured, including a dozen who lost limbs.
28.The negativity bias: is a cognitive bias that, even when positive or
neutral things of equal intensity occur, things of a more negative nature
(e.g. unpleasant thoughts, emotions, or social interactions;
harmful/traumatic events) have a greater effect on one's psychological
state and processes than neutral or positive things.
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29.traumatic media: a really upsetting video. It could be from a war, a

crime scene, or a disaster.
30.Michel de Nostredame: (December 1503 - July 1566), was a French
astrologer, apothecary, and physician, who is best known for his book
Les Prophéties (published in 1555), a collection of 942 poetic quatrains
(4 line poems) allegedly predicting fu- ture events. Academic sources
reject the notion that Nostradamus had any genuine supernatural
prophetic abilities and maintain that the associations made between
world events and Nostradamus's quatrains are the result of (sometimes
deliberate) misinterpretations or mistranslations.

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Nostradamus's predictions are characteristically vague, meaning they

could be applied to virtually anything, and are useless for determining
whether their author had any real prophetic powers.
31.Horace-Ode I. 11 (23 BCE):: is a famous poem that embodies the
philosophy of carpe diem, or "seize the day." Addressing Leuconoe, the
speaker urges against trying to predict the future through divination,
emphasizing that fate is unknowable. He acknowledges the uncertainty
of life, warning that this winter may be their last or one of many more,
but either way, time continues to pass. Instead of dwelling on the
future, he advises embracing wisdom, taking action in the present, and
letting go of unrealistic hopes. The poem highlights the fleeting nature
of time and encourages living fully in the present, as the future is
beyond human control.
32.William Butler Yeats-The Second Coming (1919):: a powerful and
apocalyptic poem reflecting on chaos, decline, and the arrival of a new,
ominous era. The opening lines describe a world spiraling out of control,
where order has collapsed and anarchy reigns. Yeats uses the image of
a falcon losing connection with its falconer to symbolize humanity's
disconnection from guiding principles.
stability is lost, and society is unraveling. The second stanza introduces
a mys- terious, terrifying vision inspired by Spiritus Mundi—the
collective human spirit. A monstrous, sphinx-like creature emerges in
the desert, signaling the arrival of a new, possibly malevolent age. The
poem ends with the haunting question of what this "rough beast" is, as
it moves toward Bethlehem, evoking the idea of a dark, foreboding
rebirth.Yeats, writing after World War I, expresses a sense of dread
about the future, suggesting that the world is on the brink of an
irreversible transformation.
33.Robert Frost-Fire and Ice (1920):: is a brief yet profound poem that
explores the potential ways the world could end, using fire and ice as
symbols for human emo- tions. Fire represents desire, passion, and
unchecked ambition, while ice symbolizes hatred, indifference, and
emotional coldness. The speaker aligns with those who believe fire will
bring destruction, associating it with the intensity of desire. However,
he acknowledges that ice—like hate—is just as capable of causing
devastation, implying that both passion and cold cruelty have the power
to destroy. Through
its simple structure and concise language, the poem delivers a powerful
message about the destructive nature of human emotions, suggesting
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that both uncontrolled desire and deep-seated hatred could lead to the
world's downfall.
34.Emily Dickinson-The Future—never spoke (1921):: reflects on the
mysterious and inevitable nature of the future. The poem portrays the
future as silent and unknowable, refusing to give any signs or clues
about what is to come. Instead of offering warnings or allowing
preparation, the future reveals itself only when events unfold, leaving
no room for avoidance or alteration. The speaker emphasizes that the
future is indifferent—it does not favor or spare anyone, acting solely as
the executor

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of fate's message. Through her characteristic use of dashes and concise

language, Dickinson captures the inescapable and impartial force of
time, reinforcing the idea that the future arrives on its own terms,
beyond human control.
35.divination: a way of trying to get information that you can't get
through normal means, like seeing the future or understanding the
past. It's like trying to solve a mystery, but instead of looking for clues,
people who practice divination believe they can communicate with the
supernatural.
36.The Shang dynasty: existed in China from 1600 to 1050 BCE, is
considered the first historical dynasty of China because it left behind
written records.
37.Comparative horoscopy: is a technique used by astrologers to assess
the compatibility and potential dynamics of a relationship by comparing
the birth charts of two individuals.
38.Haruspicy: involves inspecting the entrails of sacrificed animals,
especially the liver, to determine the will of the gods.
It was performed by specially trained priests called haruspices. The
haruspices would examine the entrails of the sacrificed animal and look
for any unusual signs or markings. They would then interpret these
signs to determine the will of the gods. Haruspicy was used to make
important decisions about the state, such as whether to go to war or
make peace. It was believed that the gods could communicate their will
through the entrails of sacrificed animals, and the haruspices were
responsible for interpreting these messages.
39.Ornithomancy: is the practice of reading omens from the actions of
birds. is divination by birds
40.Alectryomancy: is a type of fortune-telling that involves watching a
rooster peck at grain. The diviner would scatter grain on the ground,
sometimes in the shape of letters, and then observe which grains the
rooster pecked at. By interpreting the rooster's pecking, the diviner
would try to gain insights or answers to questions.
41.Pyro-osteomancy: a type of divination that involves using fire and
bones. The bones are heated in a fire, and the cracks and patterns that
form on the bones are interpreted to answer questions about the
future. dreams
42.Oneiromancy: is a form of divination based upon dreams, to
(uses predict the future). Oneirogen plants may also be enhance
used to produce or dream-like states of consciousness.
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43. Bibliomancy: the use of books in divination. The use of sacred

books (especially specific words and verses) for "magical medicine", for
removing negative entities, or for divination is widespread in many
religions of the world.

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44.Hydromancy: a method of divination by means of water, including the

color, flow, or ripples produced by pebbles dropped in a pool. It also
refers to the entering of a trance by staring at a chosen form of water,
which is a form of scrying.
45.Astragalomancy: a form of divination that uses dice specially
marked with letters or numbers.
Historically, the "dice" were usually knucklebones or other es
small bon quadrupeds. In astragalomancy, numbers are of
scrawled into the dice; t are associated with letters, thus he numbers
bearing on the questions of the divin then casts the dice, er. The
resulting in a random sequence of numbers. The diviner
prets this sequence according to certain rules - usually rules related to a
religion.
46.Scyphomancy: is divination using a cup or goblet. This may involve
forecasting or representing by using a cup of water and reading the
signs specified by certain articles floating on the water.
47.Astrology: is a range of divinatory practices that propose that
information about human affairs and terrestrial events may be
discerned by studying the apparent positions of celestial objects. Most,
if not all, cultures have attached importance to what they observe in
the sky.
Contemporary Western astrology is often associated with systems of
horoscopes.
48.Palmistry: (palm reading) is a practice of fortune-tellingudy of
through the st palm. There are many—and often conflicting—the nes
interpretations of various li palmar features across variousand
teachings of palmistry.

49.Physiognomy: (or face reading) is the practice of assessing a chara

person's ter or personality from their outer appearance— c-
especially the face.
it's a subject of renewed scientific interest, especially as it relatesneto
machi learning and facial recognition technology.

50.Carromancy: a form of divination involving wax. U heat molten,

wax until pour it directly into cold water. The shapes andthen x as it
movements of the wa and solidifies can then allegedly becools
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read to forecast auguries of the f

51.Tasseography: a divination or fortune-telling method that
interprets tea leaves, coffee grounds, or wine sediments.

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52.Cartomancy: is fortune-telling or divination using a deck of cards. The

standard 52-card deck is often augmented with jokers or even with the
blank card found in many packaged decks. In English-speaking
countries, the most common form of cartomancy is generally tarot card
reading. out a
53.Fortune telling: is a spiritual practice of predictingperson's e
information ab life. The scope of fortune telling is inof
principle identical with the practic though fortune telling
implies a less serious or formal setting.

54.An oracle: a person or thing considered to provide insight, wise

counsel, or prophetic predictions, most notably including precognition
of the future, inspired by deities.
Oracles were thought to be portals through which the gods spoke
directly to people. In this sense, they were different from seers who
interpreted signs sent by the gods through bird signs, animal entrails,
and other methods.
55.A soothsayer: a person who is believed to be able to see into the
future. They are also known as fortune tellers, prophets, or seers. Some
soothsayers use tools such as tarot cards, crystal balls, or astrology.
Others claim to have psychic abilities or to be able to communicate with
spirits.
56.Shamanism: is a spiritual practice that involves a practitioner
(shaman) interact- ing with the spirit world through altered states of
consciousness, such as trance. The goal of this is usually to direct spirits
or spiritual energies into the physical world for the purpose of healing,
divination, or to aid human beings in some other way.
57.Witch: is a term rooted in European folklore and superstition for a
practitioner of witchcraft, magic or sorcery. Traditionally associated
with malevolent (evil doing to people) magic, with those accused of
witchcraft being the target of witch-hunts.
58.Clairvoyance: is the claimed ability to acquire information that would
be consid- ered impossible to get through scientifically proven
sensations, thus classified as extrasensory perception, or "sixth sense".
59. Ifá: is a divination system and a religious text in the Yoruba
religion that originates in Yorubaland in West Africa, particularly in
present-day Nigeria.
Initially, Ifá was an integral part of Yoruba oral literature, passed down
through generations via word of mouth. However, over time, the oral
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tradition of Odu Ifá evolved into a sacred text, incorporating elements of

religion and spirituality. The Odu Ifá corpus consists of 256 sacred
poems, each associated with a specific set of symbols, known as Ikin Ifá.
These symbols are used to divine the future, understand the present,
and interpret the past. Ifá priests and practitioners use the Odu Ifá text
as a guide for spiritual growth, self-discovery, and divination.
60.Jyotish: is an ancient Indian system of astrology that has been
practiced for thousands of years. It is based on the belief that the
positions of the stars and planets

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at the time of a person's birth can influence their life.

Jyotish is a complex system that takes into account a variety of factors,
including the positions of the planets in the zodiac, their aspects to each
other, and their positions in the various houses of the birth chart. It is
used to predict a person's personality, career, relationships, and health.
61.I Ching: is an ancient Chinese divination text that is among the
oldest of the Chinese classics. The I Ching was originally a divination
manual in the Western Zhou period (1000-750 BC).
62.Bazi: is a type of Chinese astrology that is based on the time and
date of a person's birth. It is also known as the Four Pillars of Destiny,
as it uses four different elements to analyze a person's life: the year,
month, day, and hour of birth. Bazi is a complex system that takes into
account the interactions between the five elements (wood, fire, earth,
metal, and water) and the 12 zodiac signs. It is used to predict a
person's personality, career, relationships, and health.
63.jiaobei: are wooden divination tools originating from China, which
are used in pairs and thrown to seek divine guidance in the form of a
yes or no question. They are made out of wood or bamboo and carved
into a crescent shape.
64.Omikuji: random fortunes written on strips of paper at Shinto
shrines and Buddhist temples in Japan. Literally "sacred lot", these
are usually received by making a small offering and randomly
choosing one from a box, hoping for the resulting fortune to be
good.
The omikuji predicts the person's chances of their hopes coming true, of
finding a good match, or generally matters of health, fortune, life, etc.
65.Ouija (WEE-j`ee): is a flat board marked with the letters oftin
the La the numbers 0-9, the words "yes", "no", along with alphabet,
various symbols a It uses a planchette (a small heart- nd
shaped piece of wood or plastic) a indicator to spell out graphics. s
messages during a séance. Participants place t the a movable
planchette, and it is moved about the board to spell out heir fingers
words. S the United States believed that the dead were able
to contact the livi
66.A crystal ball: is a crystal or glass ball commonly used in fortune-
telling. It is generally associated with the performance of
clairvoyance. Used since Antiquity, crystal balls have had a broad
reputation with witchcraft, including modern times with amusements
at circus venues, festivals, etc.
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67.A fortune cookie: A fortune cookie is a crisp and sugary cookie

wafer with a piece of paper inside, a "fortune", an aphorism, or a
vague prophecy.
68.A horoscope: an astrological chart or diagram representing the
positions of the Sun, Moon, planets, astrological aspects and sensitive
angles at the time of an event, such as the moment of a person's birth.
Some psychological tests have shown that it is possible to construct
personality

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descriptions and foretelling generic enough to satisfy most members of

a large audience simultaneously, referred to as the Barnum effect.
69.Michio Kaku: a theoretical physicist, futurist, and popular science
communica- tor. He studies cutting-edge science and technology to
understand the future. everyday
70.Caravaggio | The Fortune Teller (c. 1595): This genre scene life ight.
of shows a gypsy palm reader on the left and a handsome She is
man on the r discreetly stealing his ring while he is
distracted.

71.Georges de la Tour | The Fortune Teller (1630):: It is a genre scene,

which means it depicts everyday life. The painting shows a group including
of
people, ing this,
an old Roma woman reading a young man's fortune. While her for its
she is do companions are stealing from the young man. The use
painting is notable of color and texture, as well as its othing. It
detailed depiction of the figures' cl also interesting to note
that the painting was discovered relatively re mid-20th
century.
72.Michael Vrubel | The Fortune Teller (1895):: Her expression is a
mystery. She looks wise, maybe a little mischievous, and definitely like
she knows something we don't. The colors are really rich, deep blues
and greens that make her skin glow. You can see all the details, like the
patterns on her shawl.
What's cool about this painting is how it makes you wonder. What
secrets does she hold? What does she see in the future? It's like Vrubel
is saying, "Come closer, let me tell you your fortune..." even though it's
just her there.
She kinda looks like she knows all of you secrets, your darkest fears; not
only the ones in present time but the ones in your future. she looks
worried for us, us being the person she's sterling at, the 4th wall.
73.Julio Romero de Torres | The Fortune Teller (1922): At first glance, you
see two women by a window, but there's more to it than meets the
eye. The woman on the right, dressed in local attire, seems lost in
thought, while the other rests on the sill, a hint of sadness in her
posture.
The backdrop isn't just any view; it's the city of Cordoba, with its
houses, the Fuenseca Christ Lantern, and the palace of the Marquis of
Fuensanta del Valle. In the distance, a woman in a red shawl stands in a
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doorway, adding another layer to the story.

And if you look closely, there's yet another scene unfolding - a woman
trying to hold onto a man. This scene, though small, connects to the
main theme of the painting: love, or more specifically, heartbreak. It's
like a puzzle, with each piece telling a part of the story. The painting's
complexity might leave you wondering, what's it all about? Perhaps it's
about the sadness of a young woman in love with a married man. Maybe
the cards are telling her fortune, while in the background, the man's wife
tries to keep

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him from leaving.

These women aren't just figures; they reflect the fashion of the time,
from their silk stockings and mesh sweaters to their hairstyles. It's like
Romero de Torres is capturing the essence of the women of Cordoba
in his paintings.
74.Helena Sofia Schjerfbeck | The Fortune Teller (Woman in a Yellow Dress)
(1926): The painting features a woman in a yellow dress, her face turned
away from the viewer, creating an air of intrigue. The fortune teller's
identity remains ambiguous, as her features are obscured by the
shadows and the angle of her head. This enigmatic quality adds to the
painting's allure, prompting viewers to wonder about the fortune teller's
secrets and the stories she holds within.
The woman's yellow dress is a striking focal point, its vibrant hue
contrasting with the muted tones of the background. The dress's color
and texture suggest a sense of elegance and refinement, hinting at the
woman's social standing and the potential significance of her fortune.
The painting's composition is carefully balanced, with the woman's
figure positioned centrally, drawing the viewer's attention to her
posture.
The overall mood of the painting is one of quiet contemplation, inviting
viewers to reflect on the mysteries of fate and the power of intuition.
75.Jose Luis Cuevas | Dreams of Rasputin (1968):: The painting is full of
grotesque figures and symbols, which represent Rasputin's fears and
anxieties. The painting is also a commentary on the political and social
turmoil of the time.
The painting is characterized by its use of dark colors and distorted
figures. The figures are often depicted with exaggerated features, such
as large heads and small bodies. This distortion creates a sense of
unease and unease.
76.Georges Bizet | "Trio des Cartes" (1875): The "Trio des Cartes" is a
famous piece from Georges Bizet's opera "Carmen." It's a fun and
dramatic scene where three women, Frasquita, Mercédès, and Carmen,
tell their fortunes using cards. The music is lively and playful, reflecting
the excitement of the moment. Each woman draws cards and interprets
their meanings, revealing their hopes and fears about love and the
future.
The scene is full of suspense as Carmen's cards foretell a tragic fate,
contrasting with the more lighthearted fortunes of her friends. It's a
beautiful example of how music can be used to tell a story and create
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drama.
77.Carl Orff | "O Fortuna" (1935): "O Fortuna" is all about fate and the ups
and downs of life. The lyrics talk about how fortune can be both kind
and cruel, and how we're all at the mercy of chance. The music is
intense and exciting, with a strong beat and soaring melodies. It's often
used in movies and TV shows to create a sense of drama or suspense.

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78.Benny Spellman | "Fortune Teller" (1962):: The song is about a guy who
visits a fortune teller to find out about his love life. The fortune teller
tells him that he's going to meet a special someone, but he has to be
patient and wait for the right moment, "When the next sun arrives".
Next day he returns, angry that nothing has happened, but falls in love
with the fortune teller. They get married and are as "happy as we could
be", and he gets his "fortune told for free".
79.Al Stewart | "Nostradamus" (1973):: The song is based on
Nostradamus's prophecies, which are said to have predicted many
major world events. Nostradamus's supporters have retrospectively
claimed that he predicted major world events, including the Great Fire
of London, the French Revolution, the rises of Napoleon Bonaparte and
Adolf Hitler, the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the
September 11 attacks.
Stewart weaves these prophecies into his lyrics, creating a
fascinating and thought-provoking song.
The music is also very evocative, with a haunting melody and a driving
rhythm. It's the kind of song that you can get lost in, and it's sure to
leave you with a lot to think about.
80.Suzanne Vega | "Predictions" (1990):: is a song that carries an air of
mystery, foreboding, and inevitability. Vega is known for her poetic and
introspective lyrics, often exploring themes of identity, fate, and human
nature. This song appears to delve into the idea of preordained events,
where the future is not shaped by choices but is instead something
already written, waiting to unfold.
One of the central themes in the song is the tension between fate and
free will. The title itself suggests an exploration of destiny, raising the
question of whether we have any control over our futures or if they are
determined by forces beyond our understanding.
Another significant theme is the unsettling nature of premonitions and
uncertainty. The song may reflect the anxiety of knowing or suspecting
something before it happens, creating an eerie atmosphere.
81.The Barnum effect: is a psychological phenomenon where individuals
believe that generic personality descriptions apply specifically to
themselves. These de- scriptions are often vague and general enough
to apply to a wide range of people, but individuals perceive them as
highly accurate and tailored to their own unique personality.
This effect can provide a partial explanation for the widespread
acceptance of some paranormal beliefs and practices, such as astrology,
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fortune telling, aura reading, and some types of personality tests.

82.The Pygmalion effect: is a psychological phenomenon in which high
expec- tations lead to improved performance in a given area and low
expectations lead

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to worse performance. According to the Pygmalion effect, the targets of

the ex- pectations internalize their positive labels, and those with
positive labels succeed accordingly; a similar process works in the
opposite direction in the case of low expectations.
83.Cold reading: is a set of techniques used by mentalists, psychics, for-
tune-tellers, and mediums. Without prior knowledge, a practiced cold-
reader can quickly obtain a great deal of information by analyzing the
thnicity,
person's body language, age, clothing or fashion, hairstyle, gender,
sexual orientation, religion, e level
of education, manner of speech, place of origin, etc. during a uestioning.
line of q Cold readings commonly employ high-probability
guesses, quickly pi
signals as to whether their guesses are in the right direction or not. The
reader then emphasizes and reinforces any accurate connections while
quickly moving on from missed guesses.
84.Confirmation bias: is the tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and
recall information in a way that confirms or supports one's prior beliefs
or values. People display this bias when they select information that
supports their views, ignoring contrary information, or when they
interpret ambiguous evidence as supporting their existing attitudes.
The effect is strongest for desired outcomes, for emotionally charged
issues, and for deeply entrenched beliefs.
In social media, confirmation bias is amplified by the use of filter
bubbles, or "algorithmic editing", which display to individuals only
information they are likely to agree with, while excluding opposing
views.
85.A self-fulfilling prophecy: is a prediction that comes true at least in
part as a result of a person's belief or expectation that the prediction
would come true. In the phenomena, people tend to act the way they
have been expected to in order to make the expectations come true.
Self-fulfilling prophecies are an example of the more general
phenomenon of pos- itive feedback loops. A self-fulfilling prophecy can
have either negative or positive outcomes.
86.Determinism: is the idea that everything that happens is caused by
something else. Determinism suggests that even our choices are
predetermined by a chain
of causes stretching back who knows how far. Determinism focuses on
particular events rather than the future as a concept. Some thinkers
believe that because our choices are caused by something else, we
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don't have free will.

Some philosophers have maintained that the entire universe is a single
determinate system, while others identify more limited determinate
systems.
87.indeterminism: the view that events are not caused by anything,
but rather occur due to random chance.

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88.self-determination.: Self-determination is the idea that we can make

our own choices based on our reasons, motives, and desires.

self determination ÕàÜé êÕØÜ×ÔÜ êÕÑÙáÔ ÔÞÕ ÕàÜé êÕØÜ×ÔÔ êÐ

âæÑÜ êÜ
89.Causal determinism: The view that all events are causally determined
by prior events.
The more normal kind :)
90.Logical determinism: The view that the future is already
contained in the present.
91.Theological determinism: The view that God has predetermined all
events.
92.Physical determinism: The view that all events are determined by the
laws of physics.
93.Biological determinism: The view that all events, iefs, and
behaviors, bel sires are determined by our genes because de- a role
our genes seem to play behavior. in our

94.Environmental determinism: The view that all events are determined

by our environment because of the fact that our environment seems
to play a role in our behavior.
95.Free will: is the feeling that we're in charge of our own decisions. Like
choosing what to eat for breakfast, or whether to study for a test. We
feel like we could have chosen differently.
96.Hard Determinism: This is the belief that determinism is true, and
therefore, free will is an illusion. They'd argue that our choices are just
the inevitable result of past events, like those dominoes.
97.Libertarianism: we do have free will, and that determinism is false.
They'd say that we're not just puppets of the past, and that we can truly
make our own choices.
98.compatibilism (soft determinism): argues that free will and
determinism can coexist. They might say that even though our choices
are influenced by the past, we can still be considered free if we're
acting according to our desires and values.
99.Incompatibilism: This is the belief that free will and determinism
cannot coexist. They argue that if determinism is true, then free will is
impossible, and vice versa.
100. Ted Chiang | "What's expected of us" (2005):: The story
examines the psychological consequences of proving that free will
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does not exist.

The Predictor, a small device that flashes one second before its button
is pressed, serves as undeniable proof of determinism, the Predictor
proves that free will is an illusion. No one can press the button without
seeing the flash first, and no one can stop themselves from pressing it
once the flash has occurred. At first, people treat it like a game, but
over time, they realize that their choices are predetermined. This

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realization leads to a cognitive breakdown in many individuals, with

some falling into akinetic mutism—a waking coma where they lose all
motivation to act.
The narrator, speaking from the future through a time-delayed
communication de- vice, warns readers to pretend they have free will,
arguing that belief in the illusion is essential for civilization. However,
the final lines reinforce the deterministic paradox: the narrator, like
everyone else, had no choice but to send this warning.
Chiang's story is a chilling exploration of determinism, self-deception,
and the fragile nature of human motivation. The story is a warning
about the dangers of knowledge. The author suggests that there are
some things that humans are not meant to know. The knowledge that
free will is an illusion is so destructive that it can cause people to lose
their will to live—even if that illusion is ultimately false. The author's
argument is based on the idea that free will and determinism are
incompatible.
101. Sam Hughes | "I don't know, Timmy, being God Is a big
responsibility" (2007):: Two scientists, Tim and Diane, have built a
quantum computer that can simulate universes. Diane has created a
simulation that's incredibly detailed, down to the level of individual
particles. They can even observe their own lab within the simulation.
This leads them to a mind-bending realization: if their universe can be
simulated, what's to say their universe isn't a simulation too? It plays
with the idea that if a simulation is perfect, there's no way to distinguish
reality from a simulation. They begin to suspect they are part of a long
chain of simulated universes, each running on a more powerful
computer. The story ends with them realizing they can't even turn off
the simulation, as that would imply someone in a higher universe would
have to turn their simulation off, and so on, the realization is a chilling,
almost cosmic horror moment.
102. Aztec agricultural calendar: The Aztecs, who lived in Mexico before
the
Spanish arrived, had a sophisticated agricultural system that fed a huge
population. They were able to do this because they had an accurate
calendar that told them when to plant their crops.
The Aztecs used the mountains around their capital city, Tenochtitlan,
as a solar observatory. They watched the sunrise against the peaks of
the mountains to keep track of the time of year. This allowed them to
know when the rainy season would arrive, so they could plant their
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crops at the right time.

The Aztecs were just as good or better than Europeans at keeping time.
Their solar observatory could also be used to study climate change
today.
103. Mayan cyclical calendars:: a complex system of interlocking
cycles. It is based on the movements of the sun, moon, and planets.
The Mayan calendar was used for centuries to track time and predict
astronomical events.
The Mayan calendar is made up of three main
cycles: The Tzolk'in is a 260-day cycle that is used
for divination.

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The Haab' is a 365-day cycle that is used to track the solar year.
The Long Count is a 5,126-year cycle that is used to track historical
events.
The Mayan calendar is also made up of several smaller cycles, including
the Lunar Series, which tracks the phases of the moon, and the Venus
Cycle, which tracks the movements of the planet Venus.
104. zodiac: is a belt-shaped region of the sky that is the apparent
path of the Sun across the celestial sphere over the course of the year.
The zodiac is divided along the ecliptic into 12 equal parts, called
"signs", each occupying 30° of celestial longitude: Aries, Taurus, Gemini,
Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and
Pisces.
The signs have been used to determine the time of the year by
identifying each sign with the days of the year the Sun is in the
respective sign.
In Western astrology, and formerly astronomy, the time of each sign is
associated with different attributes. The zodiacal system originated with
Babylonian astronomy during the 1st millennium BC. It was
communicated into Greek astronomy by the 2nd century BC, as well as
into developing the Hindu zodiac.
105. solar terms: is any of twenty-four periods in traditional Chinese
lunisolar calendars that matches a particular astronomical event or
signifies some natural phenomenon.
106. computus: (the date of Easter) is celebrated on the first Sunday
after the Paschal full moon (a mathematical approximation of the first
astronomical full moon, on or after 21 March - itself a fixed
approximation of the March equinox). Determining this date in advance
requires a correlation between the lunar months and the
solar year, while also accounting for the month, date, and weekday of
the Julian or Gregorian calendar. By the end of the 8th century,
computus came to refer specifically to the calculation of time.
107. saros: is a period of exactly 223 synodic months, approximately
6585.3 days (18.04 years), that can be used to predict eclipses of the
Sun and Moon. One saros period after an eclipse, the Sun, Earth, and
Moon return to approximately the same relative geometry, a near
straight line, and a nearly identical eclipse will occur, in what is referred
to as an eclipse cycle.
108. Metonic cycle: is a period of almost exactly 19 years after
which the lunar phases recur at the same time of the year.
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109. Antikythera mechanism: is an Ancient Greek hand-powered orrery

(model of the Solar System). It is the oldest known example of an
analogue computer. It could be used to predict astronomical positions
and eclipses decades in advance. It could also be used to track the four-
year cycle of athletic games similar to an Olympiad, the cycle of the
ancient Olympic Games.

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110. Rocket mail: is the delivery of mail by rocket or missile. The

rocket lands by deploying an internal parachute upon arrival. It has
been attempted by various organizations in many countries, with
varying levels of success. It has never become widely seen as being a
viable option for delivering mail, due to the cost of the schemes and
numerous failures.
111. A flying car: is a type of vehicle which can function both as a road
vehicle and as an aircraft.
As used here, this includes vehicles which drive as motorcycles when on
the road.
112. Maglev: (magnetic levitation) is a system of rail transport whose
rolling stock is levitated by electromagnets rather than rolled on
wheels, eliminating rolling resistance.
Compared to conventional railways, maglev trains can have higher top
speeds, superior acceleration and deceleration, lower maintenance
costs, improved gradient handling, and lower noise. However, they are
more expensive to build, cannot use existing infrastructure, and use
more energy at high speeds. The power needed
for levitation is typically not a large percentage of the overall energy
consumption of a high-speed maglev system. Instead, overcoming
drag takes the most energy. Vactrain technology has been proposed
as a means to overcome this limitation. er to all
113. A Zeppelin: the word zeppelin came to be commonlyforms
used to ref of rigid airships.

114. A suspension railway: is a form of elevated monorailhe vehicle

in which t suspended from a fixed track , which is builtis s, or
above streets, waterway railway track. existing

115. A ground-effect vehicle (GEV): is a vehicle that is able to move

over the surface by gaining support from the reactions of the air
against the surface of the earth or water. Typically, it is designed to
glide over a level surface (usually over the sea) by making use of
ground effect, the aerodynamic interaction between the moving wing
and the surface below. Some models can operate over any flat area
such as frozen lakes or flat plains similar to a hovercraft.
116. A supersonic transport (SST): is a civilian supersonic aircraft
designed to transport passengers at speeds greater than the speed of
sound.
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117. Nuclear propulsion: use some form of nuclear reaction as their

primary power source.
The idea of using nuclear material for propulsion dates back to the
beginning of the 20th century. In 1903 it was hypothesized that
radioactive material, radium, might be a suitable fuel for engines to
propel cars, planes, and boats. Many aircraft carriers

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and submarines currently use uranium fueled nuclear reactors that can
provide propulsion for long periods without refueling.
118. Hyperloop: is a proposed high-speed transportation system for
both passen- gers and cargo.
Hyperloop systems have three essential elements: tubes, pods, and
terminals
119. A hydrogen vehicle: is a vehicle that uses hydrogen to move.
Hydrogen vehicles include some road vehicles, rail vehicles, space
rockets, forklifts, ships and aircraft. Motive power is generated by
converting the chemical energy of hydrogen to mechanical energy,
either by reacting hydrogen with oxygen in a fuel cell to power electric
motors or, less commonly, by hydrogen internal combustion.
120. mecha: are giant robots or machines, typically depicted as
piloted, humanoid walking vehicles.
Fictional mecha vary greatly in size and shape, but are from
distinguished by their biomorphic appearance, and are often vehicles man
much larger than hu beings.
Real-world piloted humanoid or non-humanoid robotic platforms,
existing or planned, may also be called "mecha".
121. The metaverse: virtual worlds in which users represented by
avatars interact, usually in 3D and focused on social and economic
connection.
122. Francis Fukuyama: is an American political scientist, political
economist, in- ternational relations scholar, and writer.
123. "The End of History": Fukuyama's idea was that liberal democracy
(govern- ments where people vote, have rights, and leaders follow the
law) is the best political system we can have. He believed that after the
Cold War, more and more countries would adopt this system, and no
better form of government would replace it.
His idea was influenced by older philosophers like Hegel and Marx. They
believed history moves toward a goal. Hegel thought history aimed at
creating a fair and free society (like the USA's stance in the cold war-
freedom above all else). Marx believed history would end with a world
where no one was rich or poor (likethe Soviet Union's stance in the cold
war-equality above all else). But by the 1990s, the Soviet Union (which
followed Marx's communist ideas) collapsed, making Fukuyama think
that democracy had won. However, his idea has faced a lot of criticism.
Some people argue that democracy isn't perfect, and many democratic
countries still have problems like corruption, inequality, and unfair
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leaders. Others point out that authoritarian governments (where one

person or a small group controls everything) still exist, like in Russia
and China. Fukuyama himself admitted that democracy is struggling
today, especially with the rise of populist leaders who break democratic
rules.
In the end, The End of History doesn't mean nothing will ever happen
again. It means

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Fukuyama believed no better system than democracy would come along.

But history is always changing, and we can't be sure what the future
holds.
124. Scorpions | "Wind of Change" (1990): The song became a symbol
of political and social change, and hope, especially in Europe, as it was
inspired by the fall of the Berlin Wall (1989) and the end of the Cold
War.
The lyrics talk about hope for a better future, where people can come
together in peace. The whistling melody at the beginning is one of the
most recognizable parts of the song. It creates a feeling of nostalgia and
longing for freedom. Even today, it reminds people of an important
historical moment when the world was transforming.
125. Jesus Jones | "Right Here, Right Now" (1991): It's a song about
witnessing history and feeling the excitement of big changes happening
in the world. The lyrics reflect the optimism and hope of the early
1990s, especially with the end of the Cold War and the fall of
communism in Eastern Europe.
The song expresses a sense of living in the moment, watching history
unfold, and realizing that the world is changing for the better.
126. Michael Jackson | "Heal the World" (1991): is a song about making
the world a better place by spreading love, kindness, and compassion.
Michael Jackson encourages people to look beyond their differences and
come together to help those in need. The lyrics suggest that the world
can be healed if people choose to love and support one another.
127. Will Smith | "Will 2K" (1999): captures the party atmosphere and
optimism people felt as the 20th century was ending and the 21st
century was beginning. Will Smith raps about how people all over the
world were getting ready for the biggest New Year's Eve celebration
ever, with no worries about the future. While it's a fun and lighthearted
song, it also represents Will Smith's signature style—clean, feel-good
rap with a message of joy and celebration. Despite concerns about Y2K
(the fear that computers would crash when the year changed from 1999
to 2000), Smith reassures listeners that the party would go on.
128. Alice Coltrane | "Journey In Satchidananda" (1971): is a deeply
spiritual and meditative jazz album. Named after her spiritual teacher,
Swami Satchidananda, the album reflects her growing interest in Eastern
spirituality and transcendence through music. Conceptually, the album
represents a spiritual journey, with music meant to uplift the listener to
a higher state of consciousness. It reflects Coltrane's search for peace,
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enlightenment, and cosmic connection through sound.

129. Vangelis | "To the Unknown Man" (1977): the track reflects a deep
sense of mystery, vastness, and introspection.
The piece builds gradually, starting with soft, flowing synthesizers that
create an ethereal and dreamy ambiance. As it progresses, the music
grows more intense, with layered melodies and orchestral-like synth
arrangements that evoke a feeling

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of exploration and discovery. The electronic drums add a steady rhythm,

giving the track a sense of movement and progression, almost like a
journey into the unknown. The song is named after the Unknown Man, a
figure who is often used in literature and art to represent the common
person. The song is meant to be a tribute to the Unknown Man, and it is
meant to evoke a sense of the mystery and wonder of human existence.
130. Kitaro | "Theme From Silk Road" (1980): The song is named after
the Silk Road, a network of trade routes that connected the East and
the West for centuries. The song is meant to evoke the beauty and
mystery of the Silk Road, and it is meant to transport the listener to
another time and place.
The music blends traditional Asian instrumentation with Kitaro's
signature electronic and synthesizer-based soundscapes. It begins with
a soft, flowing synth melody, evoking the feeling of wind sweeping
across endless deserts and mountains. The gentle, echoing flute-like
sounds and delicate percussion add an ancient and mys- tical quality,
while the deep, resonant synth pads create a sense of vastness and
timelessness.
131. Enya | "Caribbean Blue" (1991): Known for her signature layered
vocals and ambient soundscapes, Enya creates a mesmerizing
atmosphere that invites listeners to escape into a serene, dreamlike
world.
The track opens with soft, shimmering synth pads and gentle
percussion, creating a sense of space and calm. The instrumentation is
minimal yet rich, allowing Enya's vocals—which are often multi-tracked
in harmony—to take center stage. Her voice is soothing and evocative,
creating a feeling of both peace and longing. The chorus is particularly
striking, with Enya's voice soaring over lush strings, building a sense of
expansiveness.
"Caribbean Blue" draws inspiration from the concept of an idealized,
tropical par- adise—not necessarily a literal Caribbean setting but more
of a peaceful, idyllic place in the imagination.
132. Enigma | "Return To Innocence" (1994): The chanting is symbolic,
referenc- ing the theme of a return to a simpler, more innocent state of
being, which the song's title suggests. This spiritual essence is
complemented by the tribal beats and synthesized melodies that evolve
throughout the track.
Lyrically, "Return to Innocence" is an exploration of self-discovery,
purity, and heal- ing.
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133. Grigori Rasputin: was a Russian mystic and faith healer. He is

best known for having befriended the imperial family of Nicholas II, the
last Emperor of Russia, through whom he gained considerable influence
in the final years of the Russian Empire.

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134. Filofei: is credited with authorship of the Legend of the White

Cowl and the Moscow - Third Rome prophecy, details of which are
very scarce.
135. Vasili: was Tsar of all Russia (Russian monarch) from 1606 to
1610, after the murder of False Dmitri I. His rule coincided with the
Time of Troubles.
136. Multipolarity: Multipolarity is a distribution of power in which
more than two states have similar amounts of power. The Concert of
Europe, a period from after the Napoleonic Wars to the Crimean War,
was an example of peaceful multipolarity (the great powers of Europe
assembled regularly to discuss international and domestic issues), as
was the Interwar period. Examples of wartime multipolarity include
World War I, World War II. Changes in the distribution of power
constitute major break points in history and determine the structure of
the international system.
137. Unipolarity: Unipolarity refers to a global system where one state
holds a dom- inant amount of power compared to others, especially in
the context of international anarchy (meaning there is no overarching
global authority or central government). In a unipolar system, there is
only one powerful state that faces no direct challenge or equal
competitor. This dominant state has the capability to shape global
affairs and exercise significant influence.
However, a key point is that unipolarity does not imply total control over
other states, as would be the case with an empire. While a unipolar
state may be the most powerful, it doesn't necessarily dictate the
actions of all other states in the way
an empire might. Instead, the unipolar state simply has a
preponderance of power without facing a viable counterbalance.
138. The core: The core—a central region in an economy, with good
commu- nications and high population density, typically urban and
industrialized areas, experience higher levels of economic
development, infrastructure, and access to resources.The core is the
central and most powerful part of the system.
139. periphery: periphery—outlying regions with poor communications
and sparse population, periphery regions, often rural and remote areas,
lag behind in terms
of development indicators. the periphery is the outer and less powerful
part of the system.
140. great powers: Great powers are states with significant influence
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on global events due to their military, economic, and diplomatic

strength. They possess ad- vanced military capabilities, large,
diversified economies, and the ability to shape global trade, finance,
and international decision-making. Examples include the United
States, China, and Russia.
141. small states: have limited influence on the global stage, often
with smaller militaries, economies, and diplomatic reach. Small powers
may rely on alliances or diplomacy to assert influence, focusing on
areas of specific interest or expertise.

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Though great powers dominate global affairs, small powers contribute to

the inter- national system in unique ways, often through soft power or
regional leadership.
142. multilateralism: an alliance of multiple countries pursuing a
common goal
143. controlling state: is a powerful nation that exercises significant
influence or control over another state, often through military,
economic, or political means. This state holds considerable leverage
and can shape or directly affect the policies and actions of the
subordinate state. The controlling state may use tools such as military
alliances, economic dependencies, or political influence to maintain its
dominance over the client state.
144. client state: is a smaller or less powerful nation that relies on a
more powerful state for support, protection, or economic aid. While the
client state maintains some degree of sovereignty, it often must align
its foreign policies with the controlling state's interests, whether due to
military dependence, economic agreements, or diplomatic pressures.
Client states may be provided with military protection, finan- cial
assistance, or favorable trade terms in exchange for their political or
military alignment. However, this dependency limits the client state's
ability to independently make decisions, as the controlling state
typically has the upper hand in shaping the relationship.
145. Hard Power: the use of force, military might, or economic
pressure to directly influence or coerce other states. Hard power is
often used to force an outcome or to intimidate others into compliance.
Countries with strong militaries or significant economic influence, such
as the United States or China, can utilize hard power
to assert their dominance or control over other nations. While it can be
effective
in achieving short-term goals, hard power can also lead to conflict,
resentment, or resistance, and its use often results in more direct,
aggressive relations between states.
146. Soft Power: Soft power, on the other hand, is the ability to shape
the prefer- ences of others through attraction and persuasion rather
than coercion. It involves using non-coercive means such as cultural
influence, diplomacy, education, and the promotion of values like
democracy or human rights. For example, nations like Japan and France
use soft power through cultural diplomacy and international cooperation.
While soft power can be more sustainable and less confrontational, it
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requires long-term effort and influence, and it may not yield immediate
results like hard power can.
147. foreign assistance:: is when one country helps another country.
This can be done through money, food, medicine, or other resources.
For example, a country might give aid to another country that has been
hit by a natural disaster, such as an earthquake or a hurricane. Other
countries give aid to help promote their own interests. For example, a
country might give aid to another country to help it develop

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its economy, which could then lead to increased trade between the two

countries. Aham aham AMERICA

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