Science & Technology Concepts and Terms

These flashcards cover key terminology and concepts from discussions about science, technology, infrastructures, and the principles associated with them.

Infrastructure

The basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society or enterprise.

National Broadband Network (NBN)

Australia's program initiated in 2009 aimed to provide high-speed internet connectivity across the country.

Fiber to the Premises (FTTP)

A telecommunications system based on fiber optic cables that provides high-speed internet directly to homes or businesses.

Fiber to the Node (FTTN)

A technology that extends fiber optic cabling to a node nearby, which then connects to homes with standard copper telephone lines.

Big Dig

A major highway construction project in Boston that faced delays and significantly budget overruns.

California High-Speed Rail

A project aimed at creating a high-speed rail link between Los Angeles and San Francisco, subject to budget increases and political challenges.

Hydroelectric dam

A large dam used to generate electricity through the movement of water.

Divination

An attempt to gain insight into a question or situation through an occultic, standardized process.

Horoscope

A forecast of a person's future based on the positions of celestial bodies at the time of their birth.

Astrology

The study of celestial bodies' positions and movements as influencing human affairs and natural phenomena.

Barnum Effect

The tendency for individuals to accept vague or general statements as personally meaningful.

Pygmalion Effect

The phenomenon whereby higher expectations lead to improved performance.

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

A prediction that causes itself to become true due to the behavior it generates.

Chaos Theory

The study of complex systems that are highly sensitive to initial conditions.

Fractals

Complex patterns that are self-similar across different scales, often seen in nature.

Combustion

A chemical process in which a substance combines with oxygen to produce heat and light.

Cryonics

The practice of preserving individuals at low temperatures after death with the hope of future revival.

Digital Cloning

The hypothetical process of uploading human consciousness into a digital form.

Neural Networks

Computing systems inspired by the human brain, designed to recognize patterns.

Autonomous Vehicles

Self-driving cars that operate without human intervention.

Machine Learning

A type of artificial intelligence that enables systems to learn and improve from experience.