Author: The Basics Guide

  • Critical Mass

    Critical Mass

    Originating from nuclear physics, “Critical Mass” represents key thresholds across disciplines, encompassing economic viability, societal trends, and biological sustainability, signifying transformative junctures.

  • Just-in-Time

    Just-in-Time

    Originating in Japan, the Just-in-Time (JIT) methodology emphasizes the timely delivery of goods and services. By aligning production with real-time demand and advocating for minimal inventory, JIT promotes efficiency across various sectors.

  • Lindy Effect

    Lindy Effect

    Originating from patterns noted at Lindy’s restaurant in New York, the Lindy Effect theorizes that the future lifespan of enduring entities, such as ideas, correlates with their current age. This concept offers a perspective on understanding persistence across various domains, from literature to technology.

  • Principle of Least Action

    Principle of Least Action

    In physics, the Principle of Least Action serves as a unifying framework that dictates a system’s dynamics through the minimization or stabilization of a specific integral, known as action. This principle offers valuable insights across various fields within physics.

  • Hysteresis

    Hysteresis

    Hysteresis describes systems where the current state is shaped by both past and present influences. Notable for its path dependence and non-linearity, the concept is particularly relevant in disciplines such as material science, engineering, and economics.

  • Gerontocracy

    Gerontocracy

    In gerontocracy, governance is allocated to older individuals, predicated on the belief that age correlates with wisdom and stability. This authority structure is present in various domains, including political, social, and corporate settings, and traces its origins to ancient civilizations.

  • Adding Epicycles

    Adding Epicycles

    In scientific modeling, adding epicycles refers to augmenting a model’s structure to accommodate unexplained data. This practice, which has its roots in ancient geocentric theories of astronomy, often compromises both the model’s simplicity and its predictive accuracy.

  • Metastability

    Metastability

    Metastability denotes a system’s stable state that is not its most energetically optimal. These transient states can endure for significant durations and are observed across various domains, influencing both natural and technological behaviors.