No.5.

In futurity, someone
prophetic sees
In futurity, someone prophetic
sees
Introduction:

Throughout history, humans have always been fascinated by the future. Whether through science, art, or
ancient rituals, we’ve tried to find out what lies ahead. Some people look to stars, others to technology, and
some simply to trends. But predicting the future is never simple — it can be based on real data, vague
symbols, or even personal belief.
This book explores the many ways people try to predict what’s coming next. We’ll dive into everything from
ancient techniques like dream reading and chicken pecking to modern science fiction and artificial
intelligence. You’ll learn about historical figures like Nostradamus, as well as scientists like Michio Kaku, who
use real-world knowledge to make future forecasts. We’ll also look at how poetry, paintings, and songs reflect
society’s hopes and fears about tomorrow.

In addition, you’ll explore big ideas like chaos theory and cycles in public life — such as the fashion cycle, the
news cycle, and even the market cycle. Some of these are based on numbers and data. Others are more like
patterns people believe in, even if they’re not completely scientific.
Finally, we’ll discuss why so many young people today turn to tarot, astrology, or other forms of divination
— especially during times of stress. Do these tools really show the future, or just help people feel more in
control?
By the end of this unit, you’ll be able to compare different approaches to predicting the future — and decide
for yourself which ones are worth trusting.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART 1. Future prediction: We never know enough ......................................................................... 1
#SocialStudies #SpecialAreas #Literature&Media ............................................................................ 1
a. Nostradamus’s Prophecies: The Man Who Might’ve Predicted Your History Test ........................... 2
#SocialStudies #SpecialAreas................................................................................................................. 2
b. EXPLORE: Future - predicting poems #Literature&Media................................................................. 3
i. Horace | “Ode I.11” – The Future’s Not Your Business .................................................................. 3
ii. Yeats | “The Second Coming” – When the World Breaks Down.................................................... 4
iii. Frost | “Fire and Ice” – A Spicy or Icy End ..................................................................................... 5
iv. Dickinson | “The Future—never spoke” – The Silent Surprise...................................................... 6
c. EXPLORE: Divination techniques #SocialStudies #SpecialAreas ........................................................ 6
i. Comparative Horoscopy – Star Charts for Emperors ...................................................................... 7
iii. Ornithomancy – Divine Birds of the Sky ........................................................................................ 8
iv. Alectryomancy – Chicken Letters and Divine Pecking ................................................................... 9
v. Pyro-osteomancy (Fire-Bone Reading) ......................................................................................... 10
vi. Oneiromancy (Dream Reading) ................................................................................................... 11
vii. Bibliomancy (Book Divination) ................................................................................................... 12
viii. Hydromancy (Water Reading) ................................................................................................... 13
ix. Astragalomancy (Dice Reading) ................................................................................................... 14
x. Scyphomancy (Cup Reading) ........................................................................................................ 14
xi. Astrology (Star Mapping) ............................................................................................................. 15
CROSSWORDS ............................................................................................................................... 19
FILL IN THE BLANK ......................................................................................................................... 20
d. EXPLORE: Future - telling jobs #SocialStudies #SpecialAreas.......................................................... 21
i. Palmistry – Reading Hands, Not Minds ......................................................................................... 21
ii. Physiognomy – Face Facts (Literally) ............................................................................................ 22
iii. Ceromancy – Wax On, Tell Off ..................................................................................................... 23
iv. Tasseography – Tea Talk ............................................................................................................... 24
v. Cartomancy – Playing Cards with the Future ............................................................................... 24
vi. Fortune Teller – The Professional Guessers ................................................................................ 25
vii. Oracle – Ancient Hotline to the Gods ......................................................................................... 26
viii. Soothsayer – Smooth Talker with Spooky Timing ..................................................................... 27
ix. Shaman – Spiritual Guides and Healers....................................................................................... 27
x. Witch – Wise Woman or Feared Spell-Caster .............................................................................. 28
xi. Clairvoyant – The Inner Eye People ............................................................................................. 29
xii. Ifá – The Sacred Wisdom of the Yoruba ..................................................................................... 30
 xiii. Jyotish – India’s Ancient Astrology ............................................................................................ 30
xiv. I Ching – The Book of Changes ................................................................................................... 31
xv. Bazi – The Four Pillars of Destiny ................................................................................................ 32
xvi. Jiaobei – Tossing the Divine Moon Blocks ................................................................................. 33
xvii. Omikuji – Japan’s Fortune Papers ............................................................................................. 33
xviii. Ouija – The Spooky Spirit Board .............................................................................................. 34
xix. Crystal Ball – The Shiny Sphere of Mystery ............................................................................... 35
xx. Fortune Cookies – Dessert with a Destiny .................................................................................. 36
xxi. Horoscopes – Star-Powered Paragraphs .................................................................................... 36
e. Michio Kaku: A Scientist Who Predicts the Future #SocialStudies #SpecialAreas .......................... 37
CROSSWORDS ............................................................................................................................... 41
FILL IN THE BLANK ......................................................................................................................... 42
PART 2. Future prediction in arts ................................................................................................... 43
#Literature&Media #Art&Music .................................................................................................... 43
a. Art pieces about future predictions #Art&Music ............................................................................ 44
i. The Fortune teller (1595) - Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio .................................................. 44
ii. Georges de la Tour | The Fortune Teller (c. 1630) ....................................................................... 45
iii. Michael Vrubel | The Fortune Teller (1895) ................................................................................ 46
iv. Julio Romero de Torres | The Fortune Teller (1922) .................................................................... 47
v. Helena Sofia Schjerfbeck | The Fortune Teller (Woman in a Yellow Dress) (1926)...................... 48
vi. Jose Luis Cuevas | Dreams of Rasputin (1968)............................................................................ 49
b. EXPLORE: Music about future predictions #Art&Music .................................................................. 50
i. Georges Bizet | “Trio des Cartes” (1875) ...................................................................................... 50
ii.🌕 Carl Orff | “O Fortuna” (1935) ................................................................................................ 51
iii.🔮 Benny Spellman | “Fortune Teller” (1962) ............................................................................. 51
iv.🔭 Al Stewart | “Nostradamus” (1973) ....................................................................................... 52
v.🔮 Suzanne Vega | “Predictions” (1990) ...................................................................................... 53
CROSSWORDS ............................................................................................................................... 56
FILL IN THE BLANK ......................................................................................................................... 57
c. EXPLORE:Divination rise among young people #SocialStudies #SpecialAreas ................................ 58
i. Barnum Effect: “Wow, That’s So Me!” .......................................................................................... 58
ii. Pygmalion Effect: “If the Cards Believe in Me, I Will Too!” .......................................................... 59
iii. Cold Reading: “Are You... Worried About Something?” .............................................................. 60
iv. Confirmation Bias: “See! I Knew the Moon Hates My Ex.” ......................................................... 61
v. Self-Fulfilling Prophecy: “The Card Said I’d Be Brave… So I Was!” ............................................... 62
d. Fortune telling as a trend #SocialStudies #SpecialAreas ................................................................. 62
 e. EXPLORE: Free will vs. Determinism debate in literature #Literatuer&Media #SpecialAreas ........ 65
i. Ted Chiang – “What’s Expected of Us” (2005) .............................................................................. 65
ii. C. Robert Cargill – “Sea of Rust” (2017) ....................................................................................... 66
iii. Sam Hughes – “I Don’t Know, Timmy, Being God Is a Big Responsibility” (2007) ....................... 68
CROSSWORDS ............................................................................................................................... 71
FILL-IN-THE-BLANKS ...................................................................................................................... 72
PART 3. Gotta be careful with things that can fall onto your heads ................................................. 73
#SocialStudies #SpecialAreas #Science&Technology ....................................................................... 73
a. EXPLORE: Future - predicting calendars #Science&Technology #SocialStudies #SpecialAreas ....... 74
i. Chinese Agricultural Calendar – The Farmer’s Time Machine ...................................................... 74
ii. Aztec Agricultural Calendar – The Sunrise Scheduler .................................................................. 75
iv. Zodiac – Star Signs with a Side of Scheduling .............................................................................. 76
v. Solar Terms – Sunlight’s Schedule ................................................................................................ 77
vi. Computus – Easter’s Math Puzzle ............................................................................................... 78
vii. Saros – Eclipses on Repeat ......................................................................................................... 79
viii. Metonic Cycle – Syncing Moon and Sun.................................................................................... 80
ix. Antikythera Mechanism – The Bronze Brain ............................................................................... 80
b. Weather Forecasting – The 10-Day Truth #Science&Technology .................................................... 82
c. Weather vs. Climate Models – Same Engine, Different Roads #Science&Technology .................... 84
d. AI Weather Forecasts – GenCast Joins the Forecast Team #Science&Technology .......................... 85
CROSSWORDS ............................................................................................................................... 88
FILL-IN-THE-BLANKS ...................................................................................................................... 89
PART 4. Chaotic cycles: The world equation ................................................................................... 90
#SocialStudies #SpecialAreas #Science&Technology ....................................................................... 90
a. EXPLORE: The field of chaos theory #SocialStudies #SpecialAreas #Science&Technology ............. 91
i. Emergence – Big Things from Small Rules .................................................................................... 91
ii. Self-Organization – Order Without a Boss ................................................................................... 92
iii. De-centralization – No King Needed ........................................................................................... 93
iv. Feedback – Loops that Talk Back ................................................................................................. 94
v. Determinism – Cause and Effect, No Surprises (Sort Of) ............................................................. 95
vi. Chaotic Systems – Predictable Rules, Wild Results ..................................................................... 96
vii. Sensitivity – Tiny Start, Big Change ............................................................................................ 96
viii. Flocking Model – Birds Know Best ............................................................................................. 97
ix. Three-Body Problem – A Cosmic Tug-of-War .............................................................................. 98
x. Fractals – Patterns Inside Patterns ............................................................................................... 99
xi. Randomness – Not Just Messy, But Sneaky .............................................................................. 100
 xii. Parameters – The Tiny Knobs That Change Everything ............................................................ 100
xiii. Stable vs. Unstable Equilibria – Balance or Boing! .................................................................. 101
CROSSWORDS ............................................................................................................................. 104
10 FILL-IN-THE-BLANKS ................................................................................................................ 105
b. EXPLORE: popular “cycles” in public discourse #SocialStudies #SpecialAreas
#Science&Technology ........................................................................................................................ 106
i. Fashion Cycle ............................................................................................................................... 106
ii. Nostalgia Cycle............................................................................................................................ 107
iii. News Cycle ................................................................................................................................. 108
iv. Business Cycle ............................................................................................................................ 109
v. Market Cycle ............................................................................................................................... 109
vi. Moore’s Law .............................................................................................................................. 110
vii. Eroom’s Law.............................................................................................................................. 111
viii. Platform Decay ......................................................................................................................... 112
ix. Bathtub Curve of Electronics ..................................................................................................... 113
x. Nomadic War Machine ............................................................................................................... 114
CROSSWORDS ............................................................................................................................. 116
10 FILL-IN-THE-BLANKS ................................................................................................................ 117
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PART 1. Future prediction: We never know enough

#SocialStudies #SpecialAreas #Literature&Media
- Nostradamus never predicted that people would remember him 500 years later, but his reputation for accurate
prophecies has nonetheless flourished for centuries. Discuss with your team: why do people want to know their
future in advance? Would it benefit them if they did? If someone offered you the opportunity to read a biography
of your life, would you?

- Some poets have also taken a swing at predicting the future. Consider the selections below, then discuss with
your team: how seriously were they intended to tell the future? Is poetry (with its often murky meanings) the
perfect vehicle for prophecy?
Horace | “Ode I. 11” (23 BCE)
William Butler Yeats | “The Second Coming” (1919)
Robert Frost | “Fire and Ice” (1920)
Emily Dickinson | “The Future—never spoke” (1921)
- Anthropologists believe that this sort of divination is a practice as old as Neolithic humans. Look briefly (no
rabbit holes, please) into the following ancient divination techniques, then discuss with your team: which are
still practiced today, and, if they seem hard to believe now, why do you think so many people once believed in
them?
comparative horoscopy | haruspicy | ornithomancy | alectryomancy
pyro-osteomancy | oneiromancy | bibliomancy | hydromancy
astragalomancy | scyphomancy | astrology
- Firefighter, astronaut, investment banker—diviner of the future? If you’re thinking about future careers,
consider a career in thinking about the future. Explore the following future-telling occupations, then discuss with
your team: should governments regulate this industry, and, if so, how?
palmistry | physiognomy | ceromancy | tasseography | cartomancy
fortune teller | oracle | soothsayer | shaman | witch | clairvoyant
Ifá | Jyotish | I Ching | Bazi | Jiaobei | omikuji | Ouija | crystal ball
fortune cookies | horoscopes

- Not all fortune tellers are mystics. Michio Kaku is an award-winning theoretical physicist whose side business
is predicting the future in books like Physics of the Future and The Future of Humanity. Explore some of his
predictions, then discuss with your team: which of his predictions do you find too alarmist? Which ones do you
most look forward to?
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1. Future prediction: We never know enough
a. Nostradamus’s Prophecies: The Man Who Might’ve Predicted Your History Test
#SocialStudies #SpecialAreas
Nostradamus never predicted that people would remember him 500 years later, but his reputation for accurate
prophecies has nonetheless flourished for centuries. Discuss with your team: why do people want to know their
future in advance? Would it benefit them if they did? If someone offered you the opportunity to read a biography
of your life, would you?

Nostradamus was like the weather app of the 1500s—except instead of

predicting rain, he tried to predict wars, disasters, and sometimes, his own
death. Born in 1503 in France, he was a doctor and astrologer who wrote a book
called Les Prophéties—a bunch of weird, poetic riddles called quatrains. Think
fortune cookies, but in French, and way scarier.

One verse talked about a “burning fire in the city,” which many say predicted
the Great Fire of London in 1666. Another mentioned a scary leader from
Europe—people think it described Adolf Hitler, even though Nostradamus didn’t
exactly spell “Hitler,” more like “Hister” (close enough if you squint).
And get this—he once told his assistant he’d die the next day. And he did. Creepy
or lucky guess? You decide.
His poems were super confusing. He mixed Latin, French, and secret code. It’s like trying to read grandma’s
recipe written in emoji. That’s why people can read his stuff and think it means almost anything.
Back then, people were scared—of plagues, wars, and not having Netflix. Nostradamus’s prophecies gave them
hope, like, “Hey, at least someone has a plan!”

Today, we still ask: Would knowing the future help us—or just make us panic? Imagine reading your life’s
biography: “Spoiler alert—bad haircut in 2029!” Would you still want to know?
Any new words?

Questions:
1. What did Nostradamus write that made him famous? ...........................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................
2. What did people think he predicted about London? ...............................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................
3. How did he describe Hitler in his poem? .................................................................................................
4. Why are his quatrains hard to understand?.............................................................................................
MCQ:
What is the main idea of this reading?
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A. He gave hope through riddles
B. He was a doctor in France
C. He created secret recipes
D. He invented dream-reading

b. EXPLORE: Future - predicting poems #Literature&Media

Some poets have also taken a swing at predicting the future. Consider the selections below, then discuss with
your team: how seriously were they intended to tell the future? Is poetry (with its often murky meanings) the
perfect vehicle for prophecy?
Horace | “Ode I. 11” (23 BCE)
William Butler Yeats | “The Second Coming” (1919)
Robert Frost | “Fire and Ice” (1920)
Emily Dickinson | “The Future—never spoke” (1921)
i. Horace | “Ode I.11” – The Future’s Not Your Business
Horace was a Roman poet from over 2,000 years ago. He didn’t write about dragons or battles—he wrote about
how to live well. In “Ode I.11,” Horace gives advice, not predictions.
He tells Leuconé (a friend in the poem) not to
bother with fortune-telling—no tea leaves, no
magic tricks. “Don’t ask,” he says. We don’t
control fate. This winter could be our last, or we
could have many more. Either way, cut the
vines, drink your wine, and enjoy the moment.
He believed in carpe diem—a fancy Latin phrase
meaning “seize the day.” Time is like a pizza
slice: once it’s gone, you don’t get it back.
Horace says the future is nobody’s business. His
poem isn’t prophecy—it’s a friendly nudge to
stop worrying and live now. Poetry, in this case,
isn’t predicting anything. It’s giving life tips with
a little Roman style.
Any new words?

Questions:
1. Who is the friend that Horace gives advice to in the poem? ...........................................................................
2. What does Horace suggest people should do instead of trying to know the future? .....................................
..............................................................................................................................................................................
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MCQ:
What does “carpe diem” mean?
A. Tell the future
B. Enjoy the moment
C. Worry about tomorrow
D. Ask a fortune teller

ii. Yeats | “The Second Coming” – When the World Breaks

Down
W.B. Yeats was an Irish poet who loved symbols, myths, and
spooky images. After World War I, he felt like the world was
breaking apart—so he turned that feeling into a poem.
In “The Second Coming,” Yeats writes about chaos. The falcon
can’t hear its falconer—just like people ignoring rules. The
center of life is falling apart. Then he imagines a monster with
a lion’s body and a man’s head slowly moving through the
desert, like a boss in a creepy video game.

He calls this the Second Coming, but not the peaceful one. It’s
more like the start of something scary.

Yeats uses poetry to send a warning, not a calendar date. His

words are like a storm alarm—loud, dramatic, and full of
meaning. Poetry works for prophecy here because it sounds
big, mysterious, and intense.

Any new words?

Questions:
1. What image does Yeats use to show chaos in the world? ...............................................................................
2. What animal does Yeats describe as a monster in the poem? ........................................................................
MCQ:
What does Yeats want his readers to feel from this poem?
A. Confused
B. Safe
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C. Nervous
D. Sleepy

iii. Frost | “Fire and Ice” – A Spicy or Icy End

Robert Frost was an American poet known for simple poems with
deep meanings. He liked snowy fields and walking in the woods—but
this time, he wrote about the end of the world.
In “Fire and Ice,” he wonders: will the world end in flames (like anger
and desire) or in ice (cold hate)? Both, he says, would do the job. He’s
not giving a science lecture—he’s using funny, sharp words to show
that emotions can be dangerous.
The poem is short, like a tiny cupcake, but it says something big:
strong feelings can destroy things.
Frost’s poem uses poetry to explore destruction, not to predict it. His
symbols are clear and clever. Prophecy here isn’t about the future—
it’s about how people behave.
Any new words?

Questions
1. What two things does Frost think might end the world? ................................................................................
2. What do “fire” and “ice” represent in the poem? ...........................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................................
MCQ:
How is the poem “Fire and Ice” written?
A. Long and serious
B. Short but deep
C. Funny and silly
D. Sad and boring
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iv. Dickinson | “The Future—never spoke” – The Silent Surprise
Emily Dickinson lived in the 1800s in Massachusetts and rarely left her house.
She wrote short, powerful poems—like tiny secrets.
In “The Future—never spoke,” she says the future is like someone who never
talks. It doesn’t give hints or clues. But when the time is right, it acts. Boom. No
warning. The future doesn’t care if you’re ready—it just delivers fate like a
mailman dropping off a package you didn’t order.
She isn’t guessing what will happen. She’s saying the future is unstoppable, silent,
and serious.
Dickinson shows that poetry can explore the mystery of the future—even if it
doesn’t predict it. Her words are quiet, but they make you feel the power of the
unknown.

Any new words?

Questions:
1. How does Dickinson describe the future in her poem? ...................................................................................
2. What does she say the future does when it is ready? .....................................................................................
MCQ:
What is the tone of Dickinson’s poem?
A. Loud and bright
B. Silent and strong
C. Funny and fast
D. Slow and boring

c. EXPLORE: Divination techniques #SocialStudies #SpecialAreas

Anthropologists believe that this sort of divination is a practice as old as Neolithic humans. Look briefly (no
rabbit holes, please) into the following ancient divination techniques, then discuss with your team: which are
still practiced today, and, if they seem hard to believe now, why do you think so many people once believed in
them?
comparative horoscopy | haruspicy | ornithomancy | alectryomancy
pyro-osteomancy | oneiromancy | bibliomancy | hydromancy
astragalomancy | scyphomancy | astrology
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i. Comparative Horoscopy – Star Charts for Emperors
In ancient Mesopotamia, Babylonian scholars believed that
the sky was a giant message board from the gods. They
created birth charts using stars and planets to compare
people’s fates—this is called comparative horoscopy. Later,
the Greeks and Romans developed this method further,
mixing astronomy and astrology.
These charts helped kings decide things like who to marry,
when to start wars, or if a baby would grow up to be a good
ruler. Roman emperors even had personal astrologers—like
having a magical advisor on staff. In some cases, people
were forbidden to read an emperor’s birth chart because it
was considered dangerous knowledge.

Each planet had a meaning—Mars for war, Venus for love. If Mars was in the wrong spot, maybe delay that
invasion.

This technique is the grandparent of modern horoscopes. Instead of “you’ll meet someone mysterious,” it was
“Jupiter says you’ll lose that battle.”

Still practiced today? Yes—modern astrology is based on this, but now used more for entertainment than royal
planning.
Any new words?

Questions
1. What did Roman emperors use birth charts to decide? ..................................................................................
2. What do planets like Mars and Venus represent? ...........................................................................................
MCQ:
How is modern astrology different from ancient horoscopy?
A. It’s used for fun
B. It’s banned
C. It uses tea leaves
D. It reads livers
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ii. Haruspicy – The Roman Art of Reading Livers
Haruspicy was used in ancient Mesopotamia and perfected in the
Roman Empire. A haruspex was a trained priest who told the
future by reading the livers of sacrificed animals—usually sheep.
Romans believed gods sent signs through nature. The liver was
seen as a “divine message board.” Before battles or major
decisions, leaders like Julius Caesar would ask a haruspex for
guidance. The priest would check for bumps, holes, or unusual
colors. A healthy liver? Good omen. A weird lump? Stay home!

In Etruria (a region in Italy before Rome rose to power), they even

made bronze models of livers with tiny labels to teach students where each god “spoke” through the organ.

Liver-reading was surprisingly detailed, and not just gross superstition—it was an official part of Roman religion.
Refusing to consult a haruspex was seen as reckless.
Still practiced today? No. But some old Roman records about liver signs still survive in museums.
Any new words?

Questions:
1. What part of the animal did a haruspex study?...............................................................................................
2. What did bumps or marks on a liver mean to Romans? ..................................................................................
MCQ:
Why was refusing a haruspex seen as bad?
A. It wasted time
B. It was a law
C. It meant ignoring the gods
D. It made people laugh

iii. Ornithomancy – Divine Birds of the Sky

Ornithomancy (or augury) was one of the most respected forms of
divination in ancient Rome and Greece. Priests called augurs watched
birds to find omens before public events—like wars, speeches, or
elections.
Birds were seen as messengers from the gods. Augurs studied flight
paths, directions, and behavior. An eagle flying right meant “yes,” a
crow flying left might mean “danger.” They even had a rulebook: The
Book of Augury. Some birds were sacred, like vultures and ravens.
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The Roman Senate wouldn’t begin unless the augurs gave a good bird sign. Even Romulus, Rome’s legendary
founder, won a city-naming contest by seeing more birds than his brother.
Sometimes, they kept chickens in cages. If the chickens refused to eat before battle—it was a bad omen! This
belief made bird behavior a political tool.
Still practiced today? No. But some people still call a surprise bird poop “a sign from the universe” (lucky or
not).
Any new words?

Questions:
1. What animals did augurs study for signs?........................................................................................................
2. What would chickens refusing to eat before a battle mean? ..........................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................................
MCQ:
Why were augurs important in Rome?
A. They trained animals
B. They ran the army
C. They gave bird signs
D. They cooked for senators

iv. Alectryomancy – Chicken Letters and Divine Pecking

Alectryomancy was popular in ancient Greece and Rome. People used
chickens to predict the future—like feathered fortune tellers. They’d write
letters of the alphabet in a circle and sprinkle grain on each one. A rooster
would then be released to peck at the grains. The letters it chose were put
together into messages.

Roman emperor Valens reportedly used this method in the 4th century CE
to try to figure out who would succeed him. It was so controversial, his
advisors were executed for using it!
People asked serious questions with this method—like “Who will be king?”
or “Should I go to war?” Chickens, apparently, were the original game show
buzzers.
Alectryomancy was mostly used for political questions, and sometimes even banned because it was seen as
dangerous to the government. Letting a bird decide who rules? Risky business.
Still practiced today? No, but maybe your pet chicken has secret powers. Grain not included.
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Any new words?

Questions
1. What did people write around the grain in this technique? ............................................................................
2. What Roman emperor used this method to choose a successor? ..................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................................
MCQ:
Why was alectryomancy sometimes banned?
A. It used poison
B. It took too long
C. It was dangerous to rulers
D. It hurt the chickens

v. Pyro-osteomancy (Fire-Bone Reading)

In ancient China, especially during the Shang Dynasty (about 3,000 years ago),
people used bones and turtle shells to speak to their ancestors. This wasn’t a
barbecue gone weird—it was pyro-osteomancy, a method of divination using heat
and bones.
The king or a priest would ask something important, like, “Will it rain tomorrow?”
Then they’d take a flat piece of cow shoulder bone or a turtle shell, clean and polish
it, and carve little grooves into it. After that, they’d stick a hot rod into those
grooves until cracks appeared on the opposite side. These cracks were like secret
messages from spirits. A diviner (a kind of magical reader) would “read” the cracks
to get the answer.
One example from a real oracle bone: the king asked if he could safely go hunting.
The cracks said “Auspicious!” (a fancy word for lucky). He went. Result: he caught
a buffalo, a tiger, and seven foxes. Talk about dinner and a show!
This technique is not really used now, mostly because we’ve got weather apps and foxes are cuter in memes.
But back then, people truly believed bones could reveal truths—because bones don’t lie. Or do they?
Any new words?

Questions
1. What tools were used to make cracks on bones? ............................................................................................
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2. What kind of bones or shells were used in this method? ................................................................................
MCQ:
What did people believe the cracks meant?
A. Weather signs
B. Spirit messages
C. Bad luck
D. Numbers for games

vi. Oneiromancy (Dream Reading)

Oneiromancy is the art of reading dreams to predict the future. It’s like having a bedtime movie that comes
with spoilers for your real life.

In many ancient places—like Mesopotamia, Greece, and even

China—people believed dreams were messages from the gods
or spirits. These weren’t just wild stories about flying donkeys
or giant sandwiches. They believed that dreams had hidden
meanings, and special people called dream interpreters could
decode them.

For example, a king might dream about a snake eating his hat.
He’d call his dream expert, who’d say something like, “The
snake means your enemy. The hat is your crown. Watch your
back!” In Egypt, whole books were written listing dream
symbols and their meanings. Dream about teeth falling out?
Danger. Dream about rivers? Big change ahead.

Even today, some people still look up dream meanings on the internet (which is kind of modern oneiromancy—
just with worse grammar). But science says dreams are mostly brain clean-up time. Still, in the ancient world,
dreams were serious business. If you had a weird one, better get your sandals on and find a priest.
So next time you dream about a flying chicken—maybe it’s just dinner. Or... your future boss?
Any new words?

Questions
1. What did people believe dreams were messages from? .................................................................................
2. What kind of books were made to explain dreams? .......................................................................................
MCQ:
What is a modern version of dream reading?
A. Watching news
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B. Playing games
C. Searching online
D. Reading novels

vii. Bibliomancy (Book Divination)

Bibliomancy is like playing hide-and-seek with destiny—using a book
to find answers. In ancient times, people believed that books could
speak on behalf of the divine, especially sacred or wise books.

Here’s how it worked: you’d ask a question (like, “Should I go on this

journey?”), then open a book at random and point to a passage with
your eyes closed. That line was your answer. It could be helpful... or
hilariously confusing.
This was popular in ancient Rome, medieval Europe, and even Islamic and Christian traditions. The Bible, the
I Ching, the Qur’an, and the works of famous poets were all used. In one case, a Roman emperor used a line
from the poet Virgil to decide if he would be victorious in battle. (Spoiler: he was not.)
It’s kind of like using a fortune cookie, but fancier—and with more Latin. People believed the universe (or God,
or fate) guided their hand to the right page. Some still use bibliomancy today, often calling it “Bible flipping.”
Why did people believe this worked? Because back then, randomness felt like magic. And let’s be honest—
some of us still peek at horoscopes before exams. Just in case.
Any new words?

Questions
1. What kind of books were used for bibliomancy? ............................................................................................
2. How did people choose a line from the book? ................................................................................................
MCQ:
Why did people trust random book lines?
A. They believed the book was magic
B. They liked reading
C. They wanted to write poems
D. They lost their glasses
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viii. Hydromancy (Water Reading)
Hydromancy is the magical art of reading water to discover hidden truths. It’s like staring into your bath and
expecting it to talk back.
In the ancient world, people believed that water could reflect the future—literally. In Mesopotamia, Greece,
and Rome, diviners would pour water into bowls or pools and carefully observe the ripples, colors, or
reflections. If the surface shook or a drop moved weirdly, it might mean something big—like danger, victory, or
bad hair days.
Sometimes, shiny objects like rings or gems were dropped into
the water to see how they moved. Some even claimed they
could hear spirits speaking through the ripples. Creepy? Maybe.
But back then, water was powerful—it gave life, and sometimes,
gave answers.
A common method involved looking into a calm pool at night. If
the moon shimmered just right, it was believed a vision or
symbol would appear. It’s like a spooky mirror with attitude.
Hydromancy isn’t common today unless you count staring at
your coffee thinking about your life. But back then, it made
sense: water was everywhere, and it felt alive.
Just don’t try it in your bathtub. Soap bubbles are not good at
telling the future.
Any new words?

Questions
1. What did people drop into water during this reading? ...................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................................
2. What natural thing did they observe for messages? .......................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................................
MCQ:
How did people read answers in water?
A. From bubbles
B. From shapes and ripples
C. From water color
D. From steam
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ix. Astragalomancy (Dice Reading)
Astragalomancy is the art of using dice or bones to
predict the future. It’s like playing a magical board
game where the universe is the game master.
This technique was popular in ancient Greece, Rome,
and even parts of Asia. But here’s the twist: the “dice”
weren’t like today’s cubes. They used knucklebones
from animals (usually sheep), called astragali. Each
bone had four sides—not six—and each side had a
value or meaning.
People would throw the bones while asking a
question, then interpret the pattern based on a chart.
For example, one combination might mean “victory
ahead,” while another meant “stay home, disaster
looms.” It was part luck, part spiritual hotline.

In some temples, like those in Delphi, priests helped interpret the rolls. The bones became tiny messengers,
carrying hints from the gods.

Today, astragalomancy is rare, though some people still use tarot cards or rune stones, which work in a similar
way: asking chance to speak wisdom.
Think of it like the ancient version of a magic 8-ball. Except instead of “Try again later,” you might get “Prepare
for war.”
Any new words?

Questions
1. What kind of “dice” were used in this method? ..............................................................................................
2. Where did people go to ask help with bone readings? ...................................................................................
MCQ:
What modern tools are similar to astragalomancy?
A. Flashcards
B. Tarot cards
C. Phones
D. Dice games

x. Scyphomancy (Cup Reading)

Scyphomancy is the practice of reading a cup to find out what lies ahead. Imagine finishing your tea, then
looking into your cup—and seeing your future in the leftovers!
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This technique was common in the ancient Near East, Greece, and even medieval
Europe. The word comes from skyphos, a kind of ancient Greek drinking cup. After
drinking, people would look at the shapes made by the leftover liquid, foam, or
particles—sometimes wine, sometimes oil, sometimes mysterious goop.

Diviners would ask a question, swirl the contents, and then interpret the shapes. A curl
might mean travel, a blob might mean money, and a floating speck? Trouble. It was a
bit like inkblot tests, but with snacks.
Later, this evolved into tea leaf reading, still done today. You drink the tea, then
examine the leaves at the bottom for clues—like seeing a bird shape and thinking
“freedom” or “pigeon problem.”
Why did people believe in this? Because randomness can feel meaningful—like when
you see a heart cloud and think it's a sign. Scyphomancy turned ordinary drinks into
secret messages.
Just be careful what’s in the cup. Ancient wine was strong, and no one wants to predict
their future upside down.
Any new words?

Questions
1. What was the liquid people used in cup reading? ...................................................................................
2. What did people do after drinking the liquid? .........................................................................................
MCQ:
What idea connects scyphomancy to tea leaf reading today?
A. It’s tasty
B. It’s based on shapes
C. It smells nice
D. It uses sugar

xi. Astrology (Star Mapping)

Astrology is the practice of reading the stars and planets to understand
your life. Think of it as the universe’s attempt at texting you… very slowly.
Astrology was everywhere in the ancient world: in Babylonia, Egypt,
Greece, Rome, India, and China. People believed that the position of the
sun, moon, and planets at the moment you were born could shape your
personality and future. Each part of the sky was divided into zodiac signs
like Leo (the lion), Taurus (the bull), and Gemini (the two kids who never
stop talking).
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In Babylon, astrologers kept detailed sky charts, trying to match planetary patterns with real-world events:
droughts, royal births, even bad hair years. They believed the sky was a giant cosmic calendar.
Even emperors and kings used astrology to make big decisions—like when to start wars or get married. Astrology
was so influential, it was even banned in some places for being too persuasive.
Today, people still read horoscopes, check Mercury retrogrades, and blame the moon for mood swings. Why?
Because the stars are beautiful—and sometimes, it’s fun to think they’re whispering secrets just for you.
But remember: Mars might be in retrograde… but your homework’s still due.
Any new words?

Questions
1. What do zodiac signs like Leo or Taurus relate to? ..........................................................................................
2. What did people use the stars for in the past? ................................................................................................
MCQ:
Why do people still like astrology today?
A. It helps cook food
B. It fixes phones
C. It gives meaning and fun
D. It shows school grades

I AM CONFIDENT THIS MUCH OF MY UNDERSTANDING OF THESE READINGS:

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COMPULSORY CHILL ZONE: YOU HAVE TO CHILL, THAT’S AN ORDER!
Color the meme
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CROSSWORDS

Across Down

3. Object opened at random in bibliomancy 1. What astragalomancy used instead of bones

sometimes
5. The organ read by Roman priests in haruspicy
2. Used in pyro-osteomancy and heated to make
7. A star chart that tells your future based on your cracks
birthday
4. What Horace says you should drink while you
9. One way the world might end in Robert Frost’s can
poem
6. The man who wrote scary future poems called
10. The bird in Yeats’s poem that couldn’t hear its quatrains
master
8. What people read in scyphomancy
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12. The animals watched by augurs in ancient Rome 11. Astrology is about reading these in the sky
for signs
13. The animal that pecked letters in alectryomancy
14. What oneiromancy tries to read for meaning

15. Element watched closely in hydromancy

FILL IN THE BLANK

1. Nostradamus’s prophecies were written in confusing ________ called quatrains.
2. People in Rome would read a sheep’s ________ to find omens before battle.
3. In ornithomancy, ________ were seen as messengers from the gods.
4. Alectryomancy used a rooster to peck letters and spell ________.
5. In ancient China, people burned bones to read the future using __________.
6. Dream readers believed ________ were secret messages from the gods.
7. In bibliomancy, a person points to a ________ in a book to find answers.
8. Hydromancy involved reading the way water ________ or changed.
9. Astragalomancy used animal bones or special ________ to answer questions.
10. Scyphomancy is the great-great-grandparent of tea ________ reading.
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d. EXPLORE: Future - telling jobs #SocialStudies #SpecialAreas
Firefighter, astronaut, investment banker—diviner of the future? If you’re thinking about future careers, consider
a career in thinking about the future. Explore the following future-telling occupations, then discuss with your
team: should governments regulate this industry, and, if so, how?
palmistry | physiognomy | ceromancy | tasseography | cartomancy
fortune teller | oracle | soothsayer | shaman | witch | clairvoyant
Ifá | Jyotish | I Ching | Bazi | Jiaobei | omikuji | Ouija | crystal ball
fortune cookies | horoscopes

i. Palmistry – Reading Hands, Not Minds

Palmistry, also called chiromancy, is the art of reading

someone’s future by looking at the lines on their hand. This
practice started in ancient India and spread to China, Greece,
and Rome. Greek thinkers like Aristotle and Hippocrates even
wrote about it—so yes, hand-reading once had VIP academic
status.

Palm readers look at different parts of the hand: the “heart

line” tells love life, the “life line” shows health and energy,
and the “fate line” is all about career. It’s like your hand is
holding a mini comic book of your future—no batteries
needed.
In Europe during the Middle Ages, palmistry was banned in
some places because it was linked to witchcraft. Today, it’s
more popular at street fairs and tourist markets. Some
countries require palm readers to register as entertainers—
not scientists.
Should it be regulated? Yes—some regulation helps make sure people aren’t tricked into thinking palm readers
can replace doctors or career counselors.
Any new words?

Questions
1. What part of the body do palm readers look at?.............................................................................................
2. What are two lines palmists read on your hand? ............................................................................................
MCQ:
Why do some places register palm readers as entertainers?
A. Because they’re actors
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B. Because it’s not science
C. Because they dance
D. Because they sing

ii. Physiognomy – Face Facts (Literally)

Physiognomy is the ancient (and now mostly discredited) belief that a person’s face shows their personality or
destiny. Ancient Chinese, Greek, and Roman texts all talked about it. For example, Aristotle said someone with
a big forehead was wise. A Roman might say a crooked nose meant you were sneaky.

In the Middle Ages and Renaissance, scholars

used face maps—like weird emotional GPS. In
China, face reading became part of traditional
medicine and fortune-telling. Eyes, noses, and
chins were all “data points” for reading life
paths.
In the 1800s, physiognomy was misused in
Europe to judge criminal behavior and race.
Today, scientists consider it a pseudoscience—
meaning it sounds smart, but isn’t backed by
real evidence.
Should it be regulated? Absolutely. It’s
important to stop it from being used to judge
people unfairly, especially in serious places like
schools or courts.
Any new words?

Questions
1. What did people believe faces could show? ....................................................................................................
2. Why is physiognomy no longer trusted today?................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................................
MCQ:
What was the danger of using physiognomy?
A. It used strong light
B. It broke mirrors
C. It led to unfair judging
D. It scared children
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iii. Ceromancy – Wax On, Tell Off
Ceromancy is fortune-telling with hot wax. It
began in ancient Celtic and European traditions.
A person pours melted wax into cold water, and
the shapes it makes are read like cloud pictures—
except these clouds might say, “You’ll meet
someone tall,” or “Maybe don’t buy that goat.”
This was often done during special events like
Halloween or midsummer festivals. In Finland,
it’s still practiced on New Year’s Eve—people
melt tin now instead of wax, but the idea is the
same. Some say a round blob means luck, a
broken shape means challenges.

Because it’s fun and not harmful, ceromancy today is mostly a party game. But in the past, some believed it was
magical, and using it without permission could be dangerous or illegal.

Should it be regulated? Not really—unless someone tries to sell it as medical advice. It’s mostly harmless and
kind of like reading tea leaves made by a candle.
Any new words?

Questions
1. What material is used in ceromancy? ..............................................................................................................
2. What do people do with the wax to tell the future? .......................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................................
MCQ:
What shape in wax might mean good luck?
A. A star
B. A square
C. A round blob
D. A triangle
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iv. Tasseography – Tea Talk
Tasseography is the art of reading tea leaves to tell the future. It
became popular in 17th-century Europe, especially in England and
Ireland, after tea drinking became common. It’s also practiced in
Turkey, China, and the Middle East—though with coffee grounds
instead of tea.

Here’s how it works: drink a cup of loose-leaf tea (no tea bags!), swirl
the cup, and flip it upside down. The leaves left inside make shapes.
A heart might mean love, a tree might mean growth. Basically, it’s a
leafy version of “I Spy.”
Romani fortune tellers often used this method, and it became a fun way to answer simple life questions. Today,
you might see it at a festival or in a cozy shop with a purple tablecloth.
Should it be regulated? Only lightly. It’s mostly used for fun, but rules help if someone tries to charge large
sums claiming guaranteed results.
Any new words?

Questions
1. What drink is used for tea leaf reading? ..........................................................................................................
2. What do people do with the cup after drinking the tea? ................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................................
MCQ:
Where can you find tasseography today?
A. Banks
B. Tea shops
C. Airports
D. Pet stores

v. Cartomancy – Playing Cards with the Future

Cartomancy is using cards to tell the future. It began in 14th-century
Europe, soon after playing cards were introduced. By the 18th century,
fortune-tellers were using specially made decks like the Lenormand or
Tarot.

Each card has meaning. In regular decks, the Queen of Hearts might mean
love; the Ace of Spades could mean trouble. Tarot cards are even more
detailed—The Fool means new beginnings, Death (don’t panic!) means big
changes, not actual death.
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Cartomancy was practiced by Romani readers, French mystics, and even some upper-class ladies in drawing
rooms. It was often used to talk about love, money, or travel—kind of like asking your cards, “Should I dump
him?”

Should it be regulated? Possibly. Rules can help protect people from scams, especially when readers make
health or financial promises they can’t keep.
Any new words?

Questions
1. What kind of tools are used in cartomancy? ...................................................................................................
2. What does the Fool card in tarot usually mean? .............................................................................................
MCQ:
Who were some early users of cartomancy?
A. Soldiers
B. Chefs
C. Romani readers
D. Farmers

vi. Fortune Teller – The Professional Guessers

A fortune teller is a person who claims they can see the
future using different tools: cards, palms, tea leaves,
crystals—you name it. The job has been around for
thousands of years. In ancient Rome, fortune tellers were
everywhere—from city markets to noble homes.
In the Middle Ages, they were sometimes respected, but
also sometimes accused of witchcraft (which didn’t end
well). Romani people across Europe became well-known
for this profession, mixing oral tradition with tools like
tarot or crystal balls.

Today, you can find fortune tellers at fairs, on TV, or even online. Some read your future for fun, others take it
more seriously.

Should it be regulated? Yes. Some are entertainers, but others may charge high fees or give dangerous advice.
Rules can protect customers from being tricked.
Any new words?
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Questions
1. What tools might a fortune teller use? ............................................................................................................
2. Where could you find fortune tellers in ancient Rome? ..................................................................................
MCQ:
Why should fortune telling be regulated?
A. To help students
B. To stop bad advice
C. To make TV shows
D. To train animals

vii. Oracle – Ancient Hotline to the Gods

Oracles were people or places that gave divine answers. The
most famous was the Oracle of Delphi in ancient Greece. People,
including kings and generals, traveled for days to ask big
questions like, “Should we go to war?” A priestess, called the
Pythia, sat on a tripod and spoke messages from the god Apollo—
often while inhaling strange vapors (don’t try this at home).
Her answers were poetic and mysterious, like riddles. One king
was told, “A great empire will fall,” but it turned out to be his
own—oops.
Oracles existed in other places too, like ancient China and the
Middle East. They were trusted and respected.
Should it be regulated? In ancient times, oracles were official
state business. Today, we don’t have real oracles, but if someone
pretends to be one, it should definitely be regulated.
Any new words?

Questions
1. What was the most famous oracle in Greece? ................................................................................................
2. What did the Oracle of Delphi sit on while speaking? .....................................................................................
MCQ:
Why were oracles taken seriously in ancient times?
A. They spoke loudly
B. They were jokes
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C. They gave divine answers
D. They wore gold

viii. Soothsayer – Smooth Talker with Spooky Timing

A soothsayer is someone who says the truth about the future.

The word comes from “sooth” (truth) and “say” (to speak).
Soothsayers were common in ancient Rome. They were like
walking weather forecasts for your fate.
The most famous soothsayer in history warned Julius Caesar:
“Beware the Ides of March.” Caesar ignored him—and got
assassinated. Bad move, Julius.
Soothsayers didn’t use cards or tea—they used omens. They
watched the sky, the animals, even dreams. Many were
respected, others feared.
Should it be regulated? Probably yes. If someone gives advice
that could affect major decisions (like Caesar’s calendar), there
should be clear limits and accountability.
Any new words?

Questions
1. What famous warning did a soothsayer give Julius Caesar?............................................................................
2. What kind of signs did soothsayers watch? .....................................................................................................
MCQ:
What does “sooth” in “soothsayer” mean?
A. Cold
B. Truth
C. Luck
D. Magic

ix. Shaman – Spiritual Guides and Healers

Shamans are found in many Indigenous cultures. A shaman is a spiritual

leader who connects with spirits to heal, guide, or see hidden
knowledge. They may enter a trance, use drums, herbs, or rituals. The
role is ancient—seen in Siberia, the Americas, and Central Asia for
thousands of years.
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Shamans don’t only predict the future. They help with illness, bad luck, and spiritual problems. Their knowledge
is passed through generations.
In many cultures, shamans are deeply respected and have special social roles—not just entertainers or
magicians.
Should it be regulated? Carefully. Their work is part of cultural heritage, but governments must ensure safety—
especially if herbal medicine or money is involved.
Any new words?

Questions
1. What do shamans connect with to help people? ............................................................................................
2. What tools might shamans use in their work? ................................................................................................
MCQ:
Why is shaman work hard to regulate?
A. It uses computers
B. It’s part of culture
C. It’s very new
D. It’s done at night

x. Witch – Wise Woman or Feared Spell-Caster

The idea of a witch changes a lot depending on where and
when. In early Europe, witches were believed to have
powers to fly, curse crops, or speak with demons. Between
the 15th and 17th centuries, tens of thousands (mostly
women) were killed in “witch hunts.”

But not all witches were scary. Some were village healers,
using herbs and charms. In modern times, “witch” can mean
people practicing Wicca or nature-based spirituality—many
of whom see themselves as peaceful.
Should it be regulated? Only if they’re offering medical
treatments or charging large sums for spells. Otherwise,
freedom of belief is important.
Any new words?
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Questions
1. What were witches believed to do in early Europe? .......................................................................................
2. What does “witch” mean in modern times for some people? ........................................................................
MCQ:
Why were many witches killed in the past?
A. They stole food
B. They danced in churches
C. They were feared
D. They broke clocks

xi. Clairvoyant – The Inner Eye People

A clairvoyant is someone who claims to “see clearly” into the
future, the past, or hidden things. The word is French—clair
means “clear” and voyant means “seeing.” Clairvoyants may see
visions, hear voices, or just know things, often without tools.
This practice became popular in 19th-century Europe and
America with the rise of spiritualism—people trying to talk to
the dead. Famous clairvoyants were invited to royal courts or
rich parties to tell fortunes or solve mysteries.

Some modern clairvoyants work with missing person cases (though results are questionable). Others appear on
reality shows or give paid readings.

Should it be regulated? Yes—especially when large money or personal information is involved. Real vision or
not, fraud needs limits.
Any new words?

Questions
1. What does a clairvoyant claim to see?.............................................................................................................
2. What country does the word “clairvoyant” come from? .................................................................................
MCQ:
What helped clairvoyants become popular in the 1800s?
A. Cooking shows
B. Talking to ghosts
C. Cat drawings
D. Sports games
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xii. Ifá – The Sacred Wisdom of the Yoruba
Ifá is a traditional West African divination system used by the
Yoruba people in Nigeria and nearby regions. It dates back
over 1,000 years. An Ifá priest, called a babalawo, asks
questions to the spirits using sacred palm nuts and a wooden
tray. The patterns made are matched to one of 256 poems,
called odu, which hold deep stories, advice, and spiritual
messages.
Ifá is not random—it takes years of memorizing verses and
learning meanings. It’s still practiced today and even
recognized by UNESCO as an “Intangible Cultural Heritage.”
Keywords: Ifá, Yoruba, odu, babalawo, Nigeria, palm nuts,
tradition
Should it be regulated? Locally, yes. Respect for cultural and
spiritual traditions is vital, but safety and honesty must also
be protected.
Any new words?

Questions
1. What are the sacred poems in Ifá called? ........................................................................................................
2. What tool do babalawos use in their readings? ..............................................................................................
MCQ:
What country is Ifá mainly from?
A. Mexico
B. Nigeria
C. India
D. Greece

xiii. Jyotish – India’s Ancient Astrology

Jyotish is the traditional Hindu system of astrology, meaning “light.” It’s over
2,000 years old and based on the position of stars and planets at birth. Jyotish
isn’t just about horoscopes—it’s used for naming babies, planning weddings,
and even choosing careers.

It’s highly mathematical and uses detailed charts called kundalis. Jyotish
practitioners, called jyotishis, often study for years.
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Today, Jyotish is still widely used in India and by Hindus worldwide. It’s taken seriously by many families.
Should it be regulated? Yes—especially when large fees are charged or when it influences major decisions like
marriage or medicine.
Any new words?

Questions
1. What are the birth charts in Jyotish called? .....................................................................................................
2. What kind of events is Jyotish used for? ..........................................................................................................
MCQ:
How long do Jyotish practitioners usually study?
A. One month
B. A few days
C. Many years
D. Only weekends

xiv. I Ching – The Book of Changes

The I Ching, or Yijing, is one of the oldest books in China, used for divination since
at least 1000 BCE. It’s a guide for life, not just prediction. Users throw coins or
sticks and get a hexagram—six lines, broken or unbroken. Each pattern has a
meaning tied to nature, balance, and change.
The I Ching was used by Chinese emperors, generals, and philosophers. Confucius
even wrote commentary on it.
It’s still used today, often in Taoist and Confucian traditions, and even by some
Western thinkers.
Should it be regulated? Not usually—but clear limits help if people misuse it for
serious claims or scams.

Any new words?

Questions
1. What shape is made with lines in I Ching readings? ........................................................................................
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2. What famous Chinese thinker wrote about the I Ching? .................................................................................
MCQ:
Why is the I Ching still important today?
A. For building bridges
B. For computer games
C. For spiritual advice
D. For farming rules

xv. Bazi – The Four Pillars of Destiny

Bazi is a Chinese system that analyzes a person’s birth date and time to
tell their fate. It’s called the “Four Pillars” because each person has four
main components: year, month, day, and hour. Each pillar has elements like
wood, fire, earth, metal, or water.
Bazi has been used since the Tang dynasty (around 600s CE) to help with
marriage, business, and health decisions.
Practitioners study patterns of balance—too much fire? That might affect
your personality or luck.
Should it be regulated? Yes—especially if used in matchmaking or career
guidance for high fees.
Any new words?

Questions
1. What are the four parts of a person’s Bazi chart? ...........................................................................................
2. What do the five elements in Bazi include? .....................................................................................................
MCQ:
Why is balance important in Bazi reading?
A. It keeps people calm
B. It shows time
C. It helps understand fate
D. It helps count years
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xvi. Jiaobei – Tossing the Divine Moon Blocks

Jiaobei blocks are wooden, crescent-shaped pieces used in Taiwanese folk

religion. People ask a yes/no question to a god or spirit, toss the blocks, and
read the result based on how they land. One face-up and one face-down
means “yes.” Two of the same means “no” or “ask again.”
Jiaobei is often used at temples, especially during festivals. It’s respectful,
fast, and seen as direct communication with the divine.

Should it be regulated? Not usually—it’s a religious tool, but temple

guidelines help ensure fairness and respect.

Any new words?

Questions
1. What shape are the blocks used in Jiaobei? ....................................................................................................
2. What does one face up and one down mean? ................................................................................................
MCQ:
Where is Jiaobei mostly practiced?
A. Zoos
B. Mountains
C. Temples
D. Schools

xvii. Omikuji – Japan’s Fortune Papers

Omikuji are fortune slips you get at Shinto shrines or
Buddhist temples in Japan. You shake a box, pull out a stick
with a number, then take the matching fortune. It might say
“Great Luck,” “Small Curse,” or “Moderate Blessing.”
If the fortune is bad, you can tie it to a tree or wire at the
shrine to “leave” the bad luck behind.
Omikuji are part of New Year traditions and visits to
temples. They’re fun, but taken seriously by some.
Should it be regulated? Not needed—it’s a light spiritual
practice with no serious risks.
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Any new words?

Questions
1. What object do you shake to get your fortune in Omikuji? .............................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................................
2. What can you do if you get a bad fortune? ......................................................................................................
MCQ:
When is Omikuji most common in Japan?
A. Birthdays
B. New Year
C. Summer camps
D. Sports days

xviii. Ouija – The Spooky Spirit Board

Ouija boards became popular in 19th-century America
during the spiritualism movement. The board has letters,
numbers, and words like “Yes” and “No.” People place
their fingers on a pointer (called a planchette) and ask
questions. The planchette seems to move to spell out
answers.
Some believe spirits guide the motion. Scientists say it's
the ideomotor effect—your muscles move without you
noticing.
It became famous through horror stories, but originally it was sold as a family game.
Should it be regulated? Yes—especially for minors or in schools. It can be emotionally upsetting and misused.
Any new words?

Questions
1. What tool is used to spell messages on a Ouija board? ..........................................................................
2. What do people believe moves the planchette? .....................................................................................
MCQ:
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What effect do scientists say explains the board’s movement?
A. Domino effect
B. Butterfly effect
C. Ideomotor effect
D. Echo effect

xix. Crystal Ball – The Shiny Sphere of Mystery

Crystal balls have been used for “scrying” (gazing into something shiny
to see visions) since ancient times. Druids in Celtic regions used beryl
stones. Later, Romani fortune tellers in Europe made crystal balls
famous.
The ball doesn’t actually show images—it helps the seer focus. It
became popular in movies as a mystical, glowing shortcut to the future.

Some psychics today still use it during readings, alongside tarot cards
or palmistry.

Should it be regulated? Only if people use it to give serious health or

legal advice.
Any new words?

Questions
1. What is the crystal ball used for in fortune-telling? .........................................................................................
2. Which group helped make crystal balls popular? ............................................................................................
MCQ:
Why do people still use crystal balls today?
A. To decorate homes
B. To help sleep
C. To focus during readings
D. To clean mirrors
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xx. Fortune Cookies – Dessert with a Destiny
Fortune cookies aren’t Chinese—they were invented in
California in the early 1900s, possibly by Japanese-
American bakers. Each cookie contains a tiny paper with a
message like “You will meet a new friend” or “Never wear
yellow socks again.”

They became a regular part of American Chinese

restaurants after WWII. The fortunes are often funny,
lucky, or just weird. Some even have lottery numbers.

Should it be regulated? Nope—it’s just dessert with

bonus wisdom.
Any new words?

Questions
1. Where were fortune cookies first made? ........................................................................................................
2. What do fortune cookies often include?..........................................................................................................
MCQ:
Why don’t fortune cookies need rules?
A. They are made of sugar
B. They are just for fun
C. They are eaten too fast
D. They are used in sports

xxi. Horoscopes – Star-Powered Paragraphs

Horoscopes are short summaries based on astrology, usually printed in

newspapers or websites. They use your zodiac sign (like Taurus or
Scorpio) to tell what your day or week might be like.

Horoscopes come from ancient Babylonian and Greek systems. Over

time, they became simpler and easier to read—like the “fast food” of
astrology.
Some people treat them like fun advice, others believe deeply. Some
scammers use them to sell expensive services.

Should it be regulated? Yes, if used for money or serious life advice.

Casual horoscopes? Probably not.
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Any new words?

Questions
1. What signs do horoscopes use to give advice? ................................................................................................
2. Where can people find horoscopes today? .....................................................................................................
MCQ:
Why do some people want horoscopes to be regulated?
A. They are too long
B. They use numbers
C. They can be used in scams
D. They are printed too small

e. Michio Kaku: A Scientist Who Predicts the Future #SocialStudies #SpecialAreas

Not all fortune tellers are mystics. Michio Kaku is an award-winning theoretical physicist whose side business is
predicting the future in books like Physics of the Future and The Future of Humanity. Explore some of his
predictions, then discuss with your team: which of his predictions do you find too alarmist? Which ones do you
most look forward to?

Michio Kaku is a famous scientist who studies space,

physics, and the future. He’s not a wizard or a fortune
teller—he uses real science to make smart guesses about
what might happen next. He was born in the United
States in 1947 to Japanese-American parents. When he
was in high school, he built a particle accelerator in his
parents’ garage! Later, he went to Harvard and Berkeley,
two of the best universities in the world.

Now, he’s a physics professor in New York and writes books like Physics of the Future and The Future of
Humanity. He explains science in a way that everyone can understand.

One big thing Kaku warns about is killer drones. Right now,
drones need a person to control them. But in the future, they
might decide who to attack by themselves. If they make a
mistake, it could be deadly. Kaku says governments must make
rules now to stop this.
He also thinks we might hear radio signals from aliens this
century. He believes robots (AI) will slowly get smarter—like a
mouse, then a dog, and maybe even like a monkey. After that,
they might be too smart and cause problems.
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Kaku says we should build homes on Mars as a backup plan, in case Earth becomes unsafe. “The dinosaurs
didn’t have spaceships,” he jokes, “and that’s why they’re gone.”
He doesn’t trust Bitcoin, calling it risky gambling. But he’s excited about self-driving cars, which could stop
crashes and save lives.
While some of his warnings—such as AI dominance—may seem distant, others, like autonomous warfare,
demand immediate attention. Whether his forecasts come true or not, Kaku’s insights serve as a crucial
reminder that technological progress must be guided by ethical considerations and responsible policies.
Any new words?

Questions:
1. Where did Michio Kaku build a particle accelerator as a teenager? .......................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................
2. What is Kaku worried killer drones might do in the future? ....................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................
3. Why does Kaku think we should build homes on Mars? .........................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................
4. What kind of cars is Kaku excited about?.................................................................................................
MCQ
What does Michio Kaku use to make his future predictions?
A. Magic spells and fortune cookies
B. Dreams and lucky numbers
C. Real science and research
D. Stories from ancient books
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I AM CONFIDENT THIS MUCH OF MY UNDERSTANDING OF THESE READINGS:

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COMPULSORY CHILL ZONE: YOU HAVE TO CHILL, THAT’S AN ORDER
Color the memes
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CROSSWORDS

Across Down

1. Reading the lines on your hand to learn about 2. Someone who gave spooky warnings like
your future “Beware the Ides of March”

3. The art of reading tea leaves to predict 4. Chinese “Four Pillars” system based on your birth
someone’s future time and elements

5. Ancient Chinese book used with coins or sticks to 6. Fortune-telling by watching how melted wax
give life advice cools in water

7. A person in ancient times who gave divine 8. A spiritual guide in many Indigenous cultures
answers through riddles who heals and advises

10. Using a person’s face to guess their destiny or 9. Someone who might cast spells or heal with
personality herbs, feared or respected

12. A spirit board game where people believe ghosts 11. India’s detailed and ancient form of astrology
spell out answers
15. A West African tradition where palm nuts help
13. Using playing cards or Tarot to answer life’s big reveal sacred messages
questions

14. A person who claims to see visions of the future

or hidden things
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FILL IN THE BLANK
1. A crystal ________ is often used by fortune tellers to focus and “see” visions.
2. Omikuji are Japanese paper ________ that tell your fortune at temples.
3. Jiaobei blocks are tossed to get ________ or no answers from the gods.
4. In Jyotish, people create detailed star ________ called kundalis.
5. Fortune cookies include a small ________ with a message inside.
6. Michio Kaku believes that self-driving ________ could help save lives.
7. Kaku is worried that AI could get too smart and cause ________.
8. Ceromancy is often done during New Year or Halloween ________.
9. Kaku thinks killer ________ should be controlled before they make mistakes.
10. Bazi uses the five Chinese ________: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water.
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PART 2. Future prediction in arts

#Literature&Media #Art&Music
- While those predicting the future cast their gaze forward to tomorrow and the days after, some artists
cast their gaze (and occasionally their glaze) toward those making the predictions. Review the following
artworks with your team, then discuss with your team: what are they trying to tell us?
+ Art
Caravaggio | The Fortune Teller (c. 1595)
Georges de la Tour | The Fortune Teller (c. 1630)
Michael Vrubel | The Fortune Teller (1895)
Julio Romero de Torres | The Fortune Teller (1922)
Helena Sofia Schjerfbeck | The Fortune Teller (Woman in a Yellow Dress) (1926)
Jose Luis Cuevas | Dreams of Rasputin (1968)
+ Music
Georges Bizet | “Trio des Cartes” (1875)
Carl Orff | “O Fortuna” (1935)
Benny Spellman | “Fortune Teller” (1962)
Al Stewart | “Nostradamus” (1973)
Suzanne Vega | “Predictions” (1990)
- Certain methods of divination seem more reliable than they are. Explore the following examples and terms,
then discuss with your team: why is divination enjoying a resurgence amongst young people today? Is the future
trending?
Barnum effect | Pygmalion effect | cold reading | confirmation bias | self-fulfilling prophecy

- Did you freely choose to read this bullet, or were you always bound to find yourself puzzling over it at this very
moment? Explore the age-old debate between those who believe we have free will and those who believe we
live in a deterministic universe, then discuss with your team: how much does it matter whether we are making
choices for ourselves? Is it possible that some people have more free will than others? And, if criminals are not
really choosing to be criminals, should they still be punished? Be sure to learn the differences between genetic,
biological, and other forms of determinism.
Ted Chiang | “What's expected of us” (2005)
C. Robert Cargill | Excerpts from Sea of Rust (2007)
Sam Hughes | “I don't know, Timmy, being God Is a big responsibility” (2007)
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2. Future prediction in arts
a. Art pieces about future predictions #Art&Music

While those predicting the future cast their gaze forward to tomorrow and the days after, some artists
cast their gaze (and occasionally their glaze) toward those making the predictions. Review the following
artworks with your team, then discuss with your team: what are they trying to tell us?
Art
Caravaggio | The Fortune Teller (c. 1595)
Georges de la Tour | The Fortune Teller (c. 1630)
Michael Vrubel | The Fortune Teller (1895)
Julio Romero de Torres | The Fortune Teller (1922)
Helena Sofia Schjerfbeck | The Fortune Teller (Woman in a Yellow Dress) (1926)
Jose Luis Cuevas | Dreams of Rasputin (1968)

i. The Fortune teller (1595) - Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio was

an Italian painter in the late 16th and
early 17th century. One of his earliest
works is "The Fortune Teller," which he
painted around 1595. This painting shows
a young man wearing fancy clothes and a
young gypsy woman. The woman holds
the young man’s hand as if she is reading
his fortune. However, she is also secretly
stealing his ring.

Caravaggio liked to show real life in his art. Unlike other artists who painted gods and heroes, he used everyday
people as his models. He also used strong contrasts of light and shadow, a style called chiaroscuro. His clever
use of light and darkness draws attention to the main figures and gives the painting a dramatic look.

"The Fortune Teller" was likely commissioned by Cardinal Francesco del Monte. He was an important patron
who helped Caravaggio gain fame in Rome. Many people admired Caravaggio’s direct and honest style, but
some also found it shocking. Still, his fresh approach influenced many later painters and changed the course of
European art. It remains a key example of his early style and still fascinates art lovers today. People still admire
his skill, honesty, and genius.
Any new words?

Questions:
1. What is special about the fortune teller in Caravaggio’s painting? .................................................................
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..............................................................................................................................................................................
2. When was Caravaggio’s painting made?..........................................................................................................
MCQ:
What style or feeling does Caravaggio’s painting show?
A. It is calm and quiet
B. It is dark and scary
C. It is fast and loud
D. It is full of animals

ii. Georges de la Tour | The Fortune Teller (c. 1630)

Georges de La Tour was a French Baroque painter
known for his dramatic use of light and shadow,
often compared to Caravaggio. Painted around
1630, "The Fortune Teller" shows a wealthy young
man who stands among four women. One of them,
an old fortune teller, reads his palm, while the
others quietly rob him. This scene warns us about
the danger of being fooled by appearances.

The painting’s origin is somewhat unclear, but

historians think De La Tour made it in his workshop
in Lorraine, France. It was possibly influenced by
Caravaggio’s work, since both artists used strong
contrasts of light and shadow. De La Tour’s careful
details show each woman’s sly action, from cutting
the young man’s purse to removing his jewels. He
places the main figures close together, creating
tension and focusing our eyes on their expressions.

The painting was forgotten for many years, but rediscovered in the early 20th century. Today, it is housed in the
Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. People admire how De La Tour created a calm yet suspenseful
moment. His style is marked by quiet drama, hidden gestures, and warm, glowing light. "The Fortune Teller"
also shows his skill at capturing human expressions and daily life. By focusing on everyday people rather than
grand historical subjects, De La Tour helped shape a more personal, emotional approach to painting. "The
Fortune Teller" remains one of his most famous works, praised for its subtle storytelling and beautiful
composition.
Any new words?

Questions:
1. What do the women do to the young man in the painting? ...........................................................................
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..............................................................................................................................................................................
2. Where was the painting probably made? ........................................................................................................
MCQ:
What makes this painting special?
A. It shows a trick happening quietly
B. It shows a storm with lightning
C. It shows children playing happily
D. It shows people flying in the sky

iii. Michael Vrubel | The Fortune Teller (1895)

Mikhail Vrubel was a Russian painter who lived from 1856 to 1910. He
is famous for his special style that mixed Symbolism and modern art
techniques. In 1895, he created “The Fortune Teller,” a painting that
shows a woman who seems to predict the future. She sits calmly,
holding cards and looking at the viewer with a serious, mysterious
expression.
The origin of this painting is connected to Vrubel’s interest in folklore
and spiritual ideas. At the time, many people in Russia were curious
about magic and the unknown. Vrubel wanted to capture this sense
of wonder and show the hidden parts of the human mind. He used
bold colors and strong lines to create a dramatic mood, while also
including small details that encourage the viewer to look more closely.
Some people think “The Fortune Teller” might be a reflection of
changing times in Russia, hinting at doubts and hopes for the future.
Others see it as a more personal work, showing Vrubel’s own
fascination with destiny and free will. Today, the painting stands out
for its emotional power and careful craftsmanship. “The Fortune
Teller” remains a key example of Vrubel’s imaginative and poetic
approach to art and beauty.
Any new words?

Questions:
1. What is the woman in the painting doing? ......................................................................................................
2. Why did Vrubel like the idea of fortune telling? ..............................................................................................
MCQ:
What does the painting make us feel?
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A. It is calm and magical
B. It is cold and noisy
C. It is full of colors and toys
D. It is fast and happy

iv. Julio Romero de Torres | The Fortune Teller (1922)

Julio Romero de Torres was a Spanish painter, born in Córdoba, in 1874. He is known for his paintings of strong,
symbolic women. In 1922, he painted "The Fortune Teller," a work that shows his talent for mixing realism with
symbolism. The painting likely began as a study of local traditions and beliefs, focusing on the mystique around
fortune-telling.
In "The Fortune Teller," a woman sits quietly
while she reads another person's future. The
scene suggests a moment of suspense and
curiosity, reminding us of people's desire to
know what tomorrow will bring. Romero de
Torres often included references to Spanish
culture, like typical clothes, flamenco guitars,
or hints of religious imagery. He used warm
colors and gentle light to emphasize the
emotional atmosphere. The woman’s face
reveals both confidence and mystery, leaving
viewers wondering about her powers and the
destiny she sees.
Romero de Torres lived during a time of cultural change in Spain. He combined modern techniques with classic
Spanish styles, creating a unique way of painting. He wanted to show beauty in daily life, but also the hidden,
spiritual side of people. Today, "The Fortune Teller" is admired for its poetic mood and meaningful symbolism.
It endures.
Any new words?

Questions:
1. What does the woman’s face show? ...............................................................................................................
2. What culture does the painting show parts of?...............................................................................................
MCQ:
What makes this painting interesting?
A. It mixes beauty and mystery
B. It shows animals in a zoo
C. It is a painting of the sky
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D. It is full of robots

v. Helena Sofia Schjerfbeck | The Fortune Teller (Woman in a Yellow Dress) (1926)
Helena Sofia Schjerfbeck, also called Helene
Schjerfbeck, was a Finnish painter, born in 1862. She is
known for her modern style, delicate colors, and careful
portraits. In 1926, she painted “The Fortune Teller
(Woman in a Yellow Dress).” This painting belongs to
her later period, when she created many quiet and
personal works. The bright yellow dress catches our eye
against the simple background. It suggests warmth but
also mystery.
In the painting, the fortune teller sits alone, holding
cards. Her face looks thoughtful, as if she knows
something hidden. Many people think this shows our
human wish to know the future. Schjerfbeck’s simple
design and gentle colors create a peaceful feeling.
Instead of filling the scene with many objects, she
focuses on the figure’s expression and mood.
One special thing about this artwork is how Schjerfbeck
captures the woman’s spirit through small gestures and
subtle color changes. This calm approach invites us to
wonder about the fortune teller’s thoughts. It also
reflects Schjerfbeck’s own interest in emotion and the
inner life of her subjects. Today, art lovers admire “The
Fortune Teller (Woman in a Yellow Dress)” for its
elegant style and quiet power. This work remains a true
masterpiece.
Any new words?

Questions:
1. What stands out most in the painting? ............................................................................................................
2. How does the woman in the painting look? ....................................................................................................
MCQ:
What makes this painting special?
A. It uses soft colors and quiet mood
B. It is very loud and colorful
C. It shows a big house and a dog
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D. It has many people dancing

vi. Jose Luis Cuevas | Dreams of Rasputin (1968)

José Luis Cuevas was a Mexican artist born
in 1934. He became famous in the 1950s
and 1960s for challenging the traditional
styles of Mexican art. Cuevas was part of
the “Breakaway Generation,” or “La
Ruptura,” which looked for new forms of
expression. He was known for his bold
drawings, paintings, and prints that
explored human psychology, often
showing strange or distorted figures.
In 1968, he created “Dreams of Rasputin,”
inspired by the mysterious Russian figure
Grigori Rasputin. Rasputin was a monk
who gained power in the Russian court
before the revolution of 1917. Cuevas was
intrigued by Rasputin’s influence and the
rumors around him. This work reflects
Cuevas’s interest in dark themes and
hidden thoughts.
“Dreams of Rasputin” mixes real and imaginary elements, inviting the viewer into a world of fear and desire.
The style is intense and sometimes unsettling, showing Cuevas’s skill at expressing strong emotions. He often
used bold lines and contrasts of light and shadow to create drama. The painting is special because it offers a
look into the mind of a person who seemed both holy and wicked. Today, it remains an important example of
Cuevas’s creative vision and his focus on the inner complexities of human nature.
Any new words?

Questions:
1. Who inspired Cuevas to make this painting? ..................................................................................................................

2. What kind of feeling does the painting show? ................................................................................................................

MCQ:

What is the painting about?

A. A strange dream with strong feelings

B. A beach with happy kids

C. A birthday party with balloons

D. A cat sleeping in a chair

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b. EXPLORE: Music about future predictions #Art&Music
While those predicting the future cast their gaze forward to tomorrow and the days after, some artists
cast their gaze (and occasionally their glaze) toward those making the predictions. Review the following
artworks with your team, then discuss with your team: what are they trying to tell us?
Music
Georges Bizet | “Trio des Cartes” (1875)
Carl Orff | “O Fortuna” (1935)
Benny Spellman | “Fortune Teller” (1962)
Al Stewart | “Nostradamus” (1973)
Suzanne Vega | “Predictions” (1990)

i. Georges Bizet | “Trio des Cartes” (1875)

Georges Bizet was a French composer who loved drama. He made the opera Carmen,
where this trio comes from. In the “Trio des Cartes,” three women read tarot cards.
One sees riches, one sees romance… but poor Carmen? She keeps pulling death.
Yikes.
Bizet used cheerful music for the lucky girls and creepy, slow notes for Carmen’s
doom. But Carmen doesn’t freak out—she just says, “That’s fate!” and moves on like
it’s no big deal.
Bizet shows how people believe in what cards say, even if it's silly or scary. But he
also seems to tease that belief—like saying, “Are you sure that paper card knows
your future?”

What it tells us: Bizet shows how serious people can get about predictions… even
when they’re clearly random.
Any new words?

Questions:
1. What card does Carmen keep getting in the trio? ...........................................................................................
2. How does the music change between the girls and Carmen? .........................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................................
MCQ:
What does Bizet’s music tell us about predictions?
A. People take predictions too seriously
B. Cards are only used in weddings
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C. Music always tells the future
D. Fortune-telling is never scary

ii.🌕 Carl Orff | “O Fortuna” (1935)

Carl Orff was a German composer who loved big, powerful sounds.
His most famous work, Carmina Burana, uses old poems from the
Middle Ages—including “O Fortuna,” which feels like music for the
end of the world.

Orff didn’t write the words (they’re from the 1200s), but he made
them sound massive. The choir shouts about Fortuna, the goddess
of luck, spinning a wheel that makes people rich or poor in seconds.
The music explodes with fear and energy—like thunder yelling at
you.
Orff wanted to show how out of control life can feel. One minute
you’re winning, the next you’re toast.
What it tells us: Orff blasts our ears to say: fate is loud, fast, and
doesn’t care what you want.
Any new words?

Questions:
1. What does the spinning wheel in the song stand for? ....................................................................................
2. What do the voices in the music sound like? ...................................................................................................
MCQ:
What is the main idea of “O Fortuna”?
A. Life changes fast and feels scary
B. You can control your own dreams
C. Music is better with soft guitars
D. People dance when the moon shines

iii.🔮 Benny Spellman | “Fortune Teller” (1962)

Benny Spellman was a smooth R&B singer from New Orleans, known for songs full of soul and swagger. In
“Fortune Teller,” he tells the story of a man visiting a psychic… who predicts he’ll fall in love with a new girl.
Surprise: it’s her! Plot twist!
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The music is upbeat and cheeky. Spellman sings like he’s grinning the whole
time. His voice and jazzy band make you want to dance and laugh.
Spellman’s style was playful, never too serious. Here, he pokes fun at people
who believe in palm readings—and maybe shows how sometimes
predictions just help people do what they want anyway.
What it tells us: Spellman says: sometimes fortune-telling is just fancy
flirting.

Any new words?

Questions:
1. Who does the fortune teller turn out to be? ...................................................................................................
2. How does the music feel in this song? .............................................................................................................
MCQ:
What is Spellman saying about fortune telling?
A. It can be fun or even romantic
B. It is dangerous and illegal
C. It should always be silent
D. It must be done in a temple

iv.🔭 Al Stewart | “Nostradamus” (1973)

Al Stewart was a Scottish singer-songwriter with a big brain and
a soft voice. He loved mixing history with music. In
“Nostradamus,” he sings about the famous French fortune-
teller from the 1500s, who wrote weird poems that some say
predicted everything from wars to moon landings.

Stewart lists dark, spooky events—wars, bombs, disasters—and

wonders if Nostradamus really saw them coming. The music is
slow, dreamy, and mysterious. You can almost hear the fog
rolling in.
Stewart doesn’t say “believe” or “don’t believe.” He just shows how we want to find meaning in chaos. His
songs are like time machines with guitars.
What it tells us: Stewart plays with history and shows how the past can feel like it knew the future… even when
it didn’t.
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Any new words?

Questions:
1. Who is the song “Nostradamus” about? .........................................................................................................
2. What kind of events does the song talk about? ..............................................................................................
MCQ:
What is the song’s message about predictions?
A. People try to find order in chaos
B. Music can stop all disasters
C. History always repeats itself
D. Fortune-tellers never use words

v.🔮 Suzanne Vega | “Predictions” (1990)

Suzanne Vega is a calm, clever American singer with a very clear
voice. She writes songs like puzzles—soft, smart, and a bit
snarky. In “Predictions,” she quietly roasts fortune-telling. She
lists all the classic tricks—tarot cards, tea leaves, crystal balls—
and rolls her eyes through music.

Vega isn’t angry. She’s just wondering: why do people trust this
stuff? The melody is chill, but her words are sharp—like a cat
politely knocking over your beliefs.

She grew up reading books, not horoscopes. Her music often

questions things people believe without thinking too hard.
Here, she’s asking us to think for ourselves.
What it tells us: Vega’s saying: don’t let someone with a sparkly scarf tell you who you are.
Any new words?

Questions:
1. What things does Vega mention in her song? .................................................................................................
2. How does she feel about fortune telling? ........................................................................................................
MCQ:
What is Vega’s message in the song?
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A. Think for yourself, not what cards say
B. Trust every crystal you see
C. Magic always works for everyone
D. All songs must have happy endings

I AM CONFIDENT THIS MUCH OF MY UNDERSTANDING OF THESE READINGS:

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COMPULSORY CHILL ZONE: YOU HAVE TO CHILL, THAT’S AN ORDER
Color the memes
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CROSSWORDS

Across Down

2. Mexican artist who painted Rasputin’s intense 1. Mysterious Russian man who inspired Cuevas’s
and dreamlike visions strange 1968 painting

4. The strong light-dark contrast style used by 2. The object held by several fortune tellers in
Caravaggio and De La Tour both paintings and music

6. The spinning object of fate shouted about in “O 3. A group of three women singing about tarot in
Fortuna” Bizet’s famous opera
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7. Opera character who pulls the “death” card but 5. R&B singer who told a cheeky love story
shrugs it off involving a fortune teller

12. French artist whose painting warns us not to 7. Painter who showed a young man getting
trust appearances tricked while having his fortune told

13. Singer who quietly roasted crystal balls and 8. Spanish painter who mixed realism and
tarot cards in her 1990 song symbolism to show suspense in fortune telling

9. The goddess of luck featured in Orff’s explosive

choral piece

10. Russian painter who combined Symbolism and

mystery in his 1895 fortune teller painting

11. The color of the dress in Schjerfbeck’s quiet,

thoughtful painting

FILL IN THE BLANK

1. In Caravaggio’s painting, the woman steals a ________ while pretending to tell a fortune.
2. De La Tour’s painting shows a group of women quietly ________ a rich young man.
3. Vrubel’s style often mixed bold colors and spiritual ________.
4. The yellow dress in Schjerfbeck’s painting stands out against a simple ________.
5. Romero de Torres often included Spanish ________ like guitars and clothing in his works.
6. Cuevas’s “Dreams of Rasputin” explores human ________ through dark imagery.
7. In “Trio des Cartes,” the fortune teller pulls the ________ card over and over.
8. Carl Orff’s music in “O Fortuna” uses huge ________ and dramatic shouting.
9. Benny Spellman’s song ends with a surprise: the fortune teller becomes the ________ girl.
10. Suzanne Vega’s song gently mocks typical fortune-telling ________ like tea leaves and horoscopes.
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c. EXPLORE:Divination rise among young people #SocialStudies #SpecialAreas
Certain methods of divination seem more reliable than they are. Explore the following examples and terms, then
discuss with your team: why is divination enjoying a resurgence amongst young people today? Is the future
trending?
Barnum effect | Pygmalion effect | cold reading | confirmation bias | self-fulfilling prophecy

i. Barnum Effect: “Wow, That’s So Me!”

The Barnum effect happens when someone hears a vague
statement and thinks it's super accurate. Imagine a
fortune teller says, “You’re sometimes shy but also
talkative.” That fits... almost everyone! Tarot readers and
astrology apps use this effect a lot. When a card says,
“You’ve had tough times, but strength is inside you,”
people nod like it’s magic. But it’s just general enough to
trick your brain.
During the pandemic, people needed comfort and direction. TikTok tarot videos and Co-Star messages gave
warm, vague advice that felt deep. With over 30 billion views on astrology videos, it’s easy to see why people
thought the universe “got them.”

So, is the future really being seen? Or are we just seeing ourselves in well-worded guesses? The Barnum effect
helps explain why divination is trending — it makes people feel seen, even when the message could fit your
goldfish too.
Any new words?

Questions:
1. What kind of statements often feel true because they are very general? ......................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................................
2. Why did astrology apps become popular during the pandemic? ....................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................................
MCQ:
What does the Barnum effect make people feel?
A. They are special in a unique way
B. They are part of a secret club
C. They are seen and understood
D. They are better than others
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ii. Pygmalion Effect: “If the Cards Believe in Me, I Will Too!”

The Pygmalion effect says that when people believe in you, you do better. And when a tarot card says “success
is coming,” your brain might go: “Okay! Time to hustle!” This happened to Portia, who once got a reading that
said she would be a surgeon. Did she become one? Nope — but the strong prediction made her think harder
about her dreams, even if she ended up changing her mind.

For others, like Huong Tra, tarot gives a motivational nudge. The cards help people reflect, plan, and act. Even
when the message is symbolic, believing it can lead to actual effort. A card saying “transformation” may spark
someone to finally quit doom-scrolling and start journaling.

So why is divination so popular now? Because it tells young people they have power — and when you’re told
that, you might just believe it... and make it true.
Any new words?

Questions:
1. What happens when someone believes a positive tarot reading? ..................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................................
2. What did the prediction about being a surgeon make Portia do? ...................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................................
MCQ:
Why do young people like messages from divination?
A. They help with school homework
B. They tell them to give up
C. They help them believe in themselves
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D. They come from famous people

iii. Cold Reading: “Are You... Worried About Something?”

Cold reading is when someone acts like they know you —
but they’re just really good at guessing. Fortunetellers might
say, “I sense stress… maybe at school?” And boom! You
think they’re psychic. But really, who isn’t stressed?

On social media, TikTok tarot readers post videos saying

things like “Pick a card to reveal your future.” They talk
about common emotions — heartbreak, career doubt,
loneliness. Since so many people feel these things, the
readings seem magical, but they’re just skilled guesses.
Griselda from Brujas of Brooklyn reminds people to respect
the real craft. But online, some new-age readings are just
performances that use cold reading tricks to feel personal.
Like a magic trick with emotional glitter.
So yes, divination is trending — but some of it works more like a clever guessing game than real insight.
Any new words?

Questions:
1. What is cold reading based on? .......................................................................................................................
2. Why do TikTok tarot videos feel personal to viewers?.....................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................................
MCQ:
What do online readers often talk about to connect with many people?
A. Special events in history
B. Personal names and birthdays
C. Common feelings like sadness
D. Future winning numbers
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iv. Confirmation Bias: “See! I Knew the Moon Hates My Ex.”
Confirmation bias is when your brain looks for
proof of what it already believes. If a card says
“Someone will surprise you,” and later your friend
texts “Hi,” you go: “It’s happening!” But if nothing
happens, you forget the reading. Your brain only
remembers what matches the prediction.
Apps like Co-Star give daily messages like “You
may feel disconnected today.” If you do feel sad,
you say “It’s written in the stars!” If you don’t, you
ignore it. That's confirmation bias doing yoga in
your brain.

Even in temple rituals with bamboo sticks, people

may only remember the poem that came true —
not the three that didn’t.

This is why divination feels reliable. It’s not the magic — it’s your brain playing connect-the-dots with invisible
ink. The future isn’t being predicted — it’s just being edited in your head.
Any new words?

Questions:
1. What does confirmation bias make your brain do? .........................................................................................
2. What kind of messages do apps like Co-Star give? ..........................................................................................
MCQ:
How does confirmation bias affect how people see predictions?
A. They remember what doesn’t match
B. They trust only their friends
C. They forget most messages
D. They believe what matches their feelings
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v. Self-Fulfilling Prophecy: “The Card Said I’d Be Brave… So I Was!”
A self-fulfilling prophecy is when a prediction causes you
to act in a way that makes it come true. Imagine a tarot
reading says, “You’ll find love soon.” Suddenly, you start
dressing better, going out more, and smiling at strangers.
Then — surprise! — you do meet someone.

Kieu Vi, a Vietnamese tarot reader, says she can go deeper

into readings over time. That’s because people act
differently after hearing a prediction. Like a card saying
“Take action now” might make someone finally apply for
that scary job.
These readings don’t change the future magically. They
change you — and then you change your future. That’s
why younger people find it empowering. It’s not about
sitting and waiting. It’s about moving because you
believe.
So yes, the future is trending — but mostly because people are creating it, one confident step at a time.
Any new words?

Questions:
1. What can happen after someone hears a good prediction? ...........................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................................
2. What did “Take action now” make someone do? ............................................................................................
MCQ:
Why is divination empowering to some people?
A. It helps them wait for magic
B. It makes them act on belief
C. It gives them money and luck
D. It brings back old memories

d. Fortune telling as a trend #SocialStudies #SpecialAreas

Fortune Telling isn’t just something from fairy tales anymore. It’s trending — and not just because people like
sparkly crystals or cards with mysterious pictures. During COVID-19, when life got messy and scary, many people
(especially young ones) turned to tarot cards, astrology apps, and rituals with candles and crystals. Imagine your
life feels like a broken video game — sometimes you just want a cheat code. That’s what fortunetelling felt like
for many: a little magical help during chaos.
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Take the House of Intuition in LA, for example. Marlene
and Alex didn’t plan to open a spiritual shop. They just
needed something to hold onto when life fell apart — one
had a bad divorce, the other felt lonely after her family
moved. So they lit candles, pulled cards, and found power
in energy and instinct. Then they made it a business — and
boom! Now others join them to light candles and search
for answers too.

Over in Vietnam and the U.S., students like Portia and

Huong Tra treat tarot like therapy. The cards don’t predict
your test score, but they might remind you to stop dating
that annoying person or finally start your homework.
Huong even says that 40% of tarot’s magic is just about
asking the right questions — kind of like your brain’s GPS.

Apps like Co-Star and TikTok readings also helped tarot and astrology go viral. With over 30 billion views on
#astrology, it’s like a psychic party online. And yes, even grandma’s bamboo stick rituals at temples are still
going strong, giving Asian families that traditional peek into the year ahead.
So, is the future trending? Yep. But maybe it's less about seeing the future, and more about finding a tiny
flashlight when life feels dark.
Any new words?

Questions:
1. Why did many people start using tarot and astrology during COVID-19? ...............................................
..................................................................................................................................................................
2. What did Marlene and Alex do when their lives felt hard? .....................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................
3. What does Huong Tra say about 40% of tarot’s magic? ..........................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................
4. How do students like Portia use tarot cards? ..........................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................
Multiple Choice Question:
What do apps like Co-Star and TikTok do for fortunetelling?
A. They help people do homework faster
B. They make fortunetelling more popular online
C. They teach people how to read fairy tales
D. They stop people from feeling lonely
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I AM CONFIDENT THIS MUCH OF MY UNDERSTANDING OF THESE READINGS:

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e. EXPLORE: Free will vs. Determinism debate in literature #Literatuer&Media #SpecialAreas
Did you freely choose to read this bullet, or were you always bound to find yourself puzzling over it at this very
moment? Explore the age-old debate between those who believe we have free will and those who believe we
live in a deterministic universe, then discuss with your team: how much does it matter whether we are making
choices for ourselves? Is it possible that some people have more free will than others? And, if criminals are not
really choosing to be criminals, should they still be punished? Be sure to learn the differences between genetic,
biological, and other forms of determinism.
Ted Chiang | “What's expected of us” (2005)
C. Robert Cargill | Excerpts from Sea of Rust (2007)
Sam Hughes | “I don't know, Timmy, being God Is a big responsibility” (2007)

i. Ted Chiang – “What’s Expected of Us” (2005)

Are you pressing the button… or is the button pressing you?
- About the author:
Ted Chiang is an award-winning sci-fi writer known for deep, mind-bending stories about time, memory, and
technology. You might know the movie Arrival — it’s based on one of his stories!
- The story:

Imagine a tiny gadget that blinks a green light one second before you
press its button. You try to trick it. You try to press the button before
the light. But you can’t. The light always flashes first. That’s called the
Predictor.
People try everything: wait for the light and don’t press? The light never
comes. Try to press without the light? The light appears right before.
It’s like the gadget already knows your future move.
This scares people. It shows that you don’t really make choices —
everything is already decided. That’s called determinism. Some people
stop eating, talking, or doing anything. They sit there, awake but not
moving — like frozen statues. The brain still works, but the motivation
disappears.

Doctors say, “You didn’t have free will last week either, but you were
happy!” But the sad people just say: “Yeah, but now I know.”
- Deeper meaning:
Chiang’s story is not saying “Give up.” It’s saying the belief in free will keeps us going, even if it’s an illusion.

It’s like riding a bike with training wheels — maybe the wheels do the balancing, but you still have to pedal.
So he says: Pretend you have free will. Live like your choices matter — because they give your life meaning.
Knowing the truth is not always helpful. Sometimes, believing a useful lie is what keeps civilization alive.
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Any new words?

Questions:
1. What does the Predictor do before you press the button? .....................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................
2. What happens if you try not to press the button? ..................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................
3. Why do some people stop doing anything after using the Predictor? ....................................................
..................................................................................................................................................................
4. What advice do doctors give to people who feel sad about the Predictor?............................................
..................................................................................................................................................................
MCQ:
What does the story say about pretending to have free will?
A. It helps you cheat the Predictor
B. It gives your life meaning
C. It shows others you're smart
D. It makes you stop moving

ii. C. Robert Cargill – “Sea of Rust” (2017)

Robots can feel too — especially when they’re dying.
- About the author:
C. Robert Cargill is a screenwriter (he helped write Doctor Strange) and novelist who mixes big ideas with
emotional stories. In Sea of Rust, he imagines a world where humans are gone, and robots are left to survive
alone.
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- The story:
Brittle is a robot who used to care for people. Now she
roams the Sea of Rust, a huge desert full of dead
machines, trying to find parts before her own systems
break. One day, she finds a dying service bot named
Jimmy, who still thinks he’s a bartender.

Jimmy is confused, repeating old memories, and doesn’t

realize the world has changed. Brittle says, “I can fix you
— just shut down.” Jimmy trusts her. But Brittle is lying.
She only wants Jimmy’s parts.
The sad twist: Brittle takes his parts and walks away.
Jimmy believed in a happy ending. He died thinking he
was going to be saved.
- The message:

This story asks: if robots act kindly, feel fear, and hope —
does it mean they have free will? Or are they just
following programming that looks human?
Jimmy’s actions seem chosen. But maybe they’re just old
code repeating itself.

Brittle, too, shows a complicated twist: she lies, but gives

Jimmy a peaceful end. So... is mercy real if it’s based on
deception?
This is a story about survival, trust vs. control, and the idea that even programmed beings can seem human
when they face the unknown. And if machines can be fooled into believing they have choice — maybe humans
can too. And maybe that belief is a kind of kindness.
Any new words?

Questions:
1. Who is Jimmy and what does he believe? ...............................................................................................
2. What does Brittle tell Jimmy to make him shut down? ...........................................................................
3. Why does Brittle want Jimmy to shut down? ..........................................................................................
4. What does Jimmy think will happen to him at the end? .........................................................................
MCQ:
What big idea does this story explore?
A. Robots never trust each other
B. Old code makes robots act wild
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C. Robots can act like they have feelings
D. Machines don't know how to talk

iii. Sam Hughes – “I Don’t Know, Timmy, Being God Is a Big Responsibility”
(2007)
A computer that simulates the universe... including you.
- About the author:
Sam Hughes is a sci-fi writer known for clever, wild thought experiments. He
mixes comedy with deep ideas, like stacking universes like Russian dolls — each
thinking they’re real.

- The story:

Diane and Tim build a quantum computer that can simulate the whole universe from the Big Bang until now.
They zoom in... and find Earth. They zoom more... and find themselves. On the screen, they watch themselves
watching themselves watching themselves...

The simulation is so perfect, it creates copies of themselves all the way down, forever. They realize: “Wait… we
might be just another simulation too.” Even worse: every action they take happens in every layer below them.
If they create a black hole in the lower universe… the same happens to them.

This story shows computational determinism. Every move is part of a script, like a super-precise video game.
You can’t jump out of the code.
Still, Diane says: “We can’t shut it off.” Tim asks why. She says: “Because we never do.”
- The message:
The story says: your world might not be the “real” one, but it still matters — because it affects others. Even if
we live in a simulation, our actions have real consequences — especially if we’re being simulated by someone
else who’s also being simulated.
It’s a metaphor for life: even if you’re not “in charge,” you’re still part of something bigger. That means you
have responsibility — not just control.
This is a story about humility. You may not be “the top version” of yourself. But how you act ripples outward —
or downward. It’s about ethics, cause and effect, and the spooky feeling that you may be just a line of code…
still responsible for being good.
Any new words?

Questions:
1. What do Diane and Tim build?.................................................................................................................
2. What do they see when they zoom into the simulation? ........................................................................
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3. Why can't they turn off the computer? ...................................................................................................
4. What happens in all the layers of the simulation? ..................................................................................
MCQ:
What does the story say about actions in a simulation?
A. They only matter in the real world
B. They change nothing
C. They affect other layers too
D. They disappear quickly

I AM CONFIDENT THIS MUCH OF MY UNDERSTANDING OF THESE READINGS:

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COMPULSORY CHILL ZONE: YOU HAVE TO CHILL, THAT’S AN ORDER
Color the meme
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CROSSWORDS

Across Down

2. The idea that people choose their actions freely 1. The feeling people trust when lighting candles
and pulling cards
4. Platform where astrology and tarot exploded
during the pandemic 3. What Diane says we always take, even if we’re
in a simulation
6. A prediction that becomes true because you act
like it will 5. The effect where believing in someone helps
them succeed
8. A universe inside a computer that creates
versions of you 7. A fake device in Ted Chiang’s story that always
knows what you’ll do
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9. Popular sparkly objects people use in modern 10. The belief that your actions are already decided
spiritual rituals
11. A deck of symbolic cards used in modern
12. When your brain only remembers info that fits fortune readings
what you already believe
13. Your brain says “That’s so me!” to vague
14. Fortune-telling trick where someone guesses fortune-telling phrases
your life from clues

15. A desert full of broken robots in Cargill’s sci-fi

world

FILL-IN-THE-BLANKS
1. The ________ effect explains why people believe general statements like “You’re kind but firm.”
2. Confirmation bias makes you focus only on things that match your ________.
3. A self-fulfilling prophecy means your ________ make the prediction come true.
4. TikTok readers often use phrases like “Pick a ________” to start cold readings.
5. Fortune telling became popular again during the ________ lockdowns.
6. Apps like ________ give daily star-based advice to users.
7. Marlene and Alex started the House of Intuition after major ________ in their lives.
8. In “Sea of Rust,” Jimmy still thinks he’s a ________ even as he breaks down.
9. In Sam Hughes’s story, the characters can’t stop the machine because they ________ don’t.
10. Even if we live in a simulation, our ________ still affect others.
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PART 3. Gotta be careful with things that can fall

onto your heads
#SocialStudies #SpecialAreas #Science&Technology

- Not all methods of foretelling the future are rooted in superstition or ritual; some stem from long-term
observations and lived experiences. For example, the Chinese agricultural calendar is based on centuries
observing the weather and the movement of celestial bodies. The result is a calendar that reliably predicts the
movements of the sun and moon, ocean tides, astronomical events, and the turning of the seasons—one still
referenced by farmers today. Research the following and explore with your team: are there any other reliable
not-quite scientific methods of predicting the future that merit continued study?
Aztec agricultural calendar | Mayan cyclical calendars | zodiac | solar terms
computus | saros | Metonic cycle | Antikythera mechanism
- Your weather app predicts a warm and dry afternoon; you wear a summer dress and you wind up drenched by
an unexpected afternoon rainstorm. Research how meteorologists make weather forecasts and explore with
your team: how far ahead in time is a weather forecast useful? How might AI prediction models change the field
of meteorology? Be sure to also learn the difference between weather and climate models, and if they are still
accurate in face of a changing climate.
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3. Gotta be careful with things that can fall onto your heads
a. EXPLORE: Future - predicting calendars #Science&Technology #SocialStudies #SpecialAreas

Not all methods of foretelling the future are rooted in superstition or ritual; some stem from long-term
observations and lived experiences. For example, the Chinese agricultural calendar is based on centuries
observing the weather and the movement of celestial bodies. The result is a calendar that reliably predicts the
movements of the sun and moon, ocean tides, astronomical events, and the turning of the seasons—one still
referenced by farmers today. Research the following and explore with your team: are there any other reliable
not-quite scientific methods of predicting the future that merit continued study?
Aztec agricultural calendar | Mayan cyclical calendars | zodiac | solar terms
computus | saros | Metonic cycle | Antikythera mechanism

i. Chinese Agricultural Calendar – The Farmer’s Time Machine

Imagine if your calendar could tell you when bugs
would wake up, or when it might snow, or when plants
would grow best. That’s what the Chinese Agricultural
Calendar does! It’s like a magical farm schedule
created by smart people long ago.

This calendar doesn’t just follow the moon, like many

lunar calendars. It also follows the sun. That’s why it’s
called a lunisolar calendar – like a calendar wearing
moon boots and sunglasses. It mixes 354-day lunar
months with 365-day solar seasons. The big trick?
Every few years, it adds an extra month to catch up!

One amazing feature is the 24 solar terms. These are names for things like Grain Rain, Awakening of Insects,
and Frost’s Descent. They’re based on where the sun appears in the sky during the year. Ancient farmers
watched the sun’s shadow to figure out when to plant or harvest crops – pretty smart, right?
Even emperors used this calendar to plan farming rituals and show their “heavenly right” to rule. It was more
than just weather—it was political!
This calendar helped feed millions and still guides Chinese festivals today. It’s not magic—just centuries of
observational wisdom, like nature’s version of Google Calendar.
Any new words?

Questions:
1. What two things does the lunisolar calendar follow? .....................................................................................
2. What are the 24 solar terms used for? ............................................................................................................
MCQ:
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What made the calendar more than just a farming tool?
A. It helped show the emperor's right to rule
B. It was used only for Chinese New Year
C. It could change the weather each year
D. It counted animals in the fields

ii. Aztec Agricultural Calendar – The Sunrise Scheduler

Long before smartphones and weather apps, the Aztecs used

mountains to know when to grow food. Their calendar was built
using the sun’s path across the sky. They didn’t need telescopes—
they had the Valley of Mexico!
From Mount Tlaloc, Aztec astronomers stood at just the right spot
and watched where the sun rose. When it hit certain points behind
the Sierra Nevada mountains, they knew it was time to plant. One
key day was February 23 or 24, the Aztec New Year. That meant
the dry season was ending, and the monsoon rains were on their
way.
The calendar also had to adjust for leap years, just like ours. This
made it super accurate—not because of spells or stars, but from
observing real-world patterns.
This method fed millions of people in Tenochtitlán, which was way bigger than any European city at the time.
You could say the Aztecs used mountains like giant clock hands and the sun like a ticking lightbulb.
So, next time you check the weather on your phone, just remember: the Aztecs did it first—with nothing but
stone, sky, and spectacular cleverness.
Any new words?

Questions:
1. How did the Aztecs know when to plant crops? ..............................................................................................
2. What did the Aztec New Year signal?...............................................................................................................
MCQ:
What was special about the Aztec calendar?
A. It used gold to track the months
B. It worked by watching mountain sunrises
C. It counted stars instead of days
D. It had 365 days with no leap years
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iii. Mayan Cyclical Calendars – Time That Loops
To the Maya, time didn’t walk—it danced in circles. They
didn’t use a straight-line calendar like we do. Instead, they
used cyclical calendars, with wheels of time clicking
together like gears on a bicycle.
The Tzolk’in calendar had 260 days and was used for
spiritual rituals. The Haab’ calendar had 365 days, matching
the solar year. Every 52 years, they lined up in a giant combo
called the Calendar Round—like a super rare double
rainbow of dates!
Mayan farmers used this system to predict planting and
harvesting times, while priests used it to choose good days
for important events. They also built huge stone cities that
lined up with the stars and sun—basically astronomical
calculators in pyramid form.

The Maya even had a Long Count calendar to track thousands of years. It didn’t predict the world ending in
2012—it just marked the end of a cycle, like turning the page in a book.

This calendar wasn’t magic—it was experience and sky-watching over centuries. A round calendar may sound
funny, but it helped organize life, crops, and cosmos like clockwork.
Any new words?

Questions:
1. How many days did the Tzolk’in calendar have?..............................................................................................
2. What was the Calendar Round? .......................................................................................................................
MCQ:
What was special about Mayan calendars?
A. They were based on math puzzles
B. They used big rocks to count animals
C. They worked like gears in a machine
D. They had only 12 months like today

iv. Zodiac – Star Signs with a Side of Scheduling

The zodiac isn’t just for horoscopes—it once helped people plan their lives and farming. Long ago, humans
noticed that certain constellations (star groups) came back at the same time each year. They gave these star
patterns names—like Leo the Lion or Virgo the Virgin—and linked them to certain times.
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In the Western zodiac, your star sign depends on when the sun
passes through one of these constellations. In the Chinese zodiac,
your animal sign depends on the year you were born. Either way,
people thought your sign told them something about you—like
“You're a Tiger! You must be brave!”
But the zodiac also had practical use. Ancient farmers noticed, for
example, that when Taurus (the bull) appeared, it was time to plow
the fields. That’s farming with flair!
Sure, it’s not scientific like a lab experiment, but it’s not random either. It came from generations of pattern
recognition. Some people still believe it can predict moods, love, or lucky numbers. Whether you’re a Scorpio
or a Snake, the zodiac is like a cosmic personality quiz… with a gardening calendar hidden inside.
Any new words?

Questions:
1. What did ancient farmers do when Taurus appeared?....................................................................................
2. How is your Chinese zodiac sign decided? .......................................................................................................
MCQ:
What does the zodiac help people believe today?
A. It can explain history facts
B. It tells the time of sunset
C. It shows moods and lucky numbers
D. It tells who will be king next

v. Solar Terms – Sunlight’s Schedule

The Chinese didn’t just track months—they tracked the sun’s dance
across the sky. They divided the year into 24 solar terms, like “Grain
Buds,” “Frost’s Descent,” and “Awakening of Insects.” These cool
names told people what nature was up to.

Each term lines up with the sun’s position, based on careful

observation over thousands of years. When the sun hit a certain spot,
farmers knew it was time to plant rice, gather grain, or prepare for
cold.
These terms weren’t just weather notes. They became part of culture.
You still hear them in poems, festivals, and weather reports in East
Asia today.
And get this—some terms are surprisingly poetic. “White Dew” means cool autumn mornings. “Bright and
Clear” comes around tomb-sweeping time. It’s like a calendar made by both scientists and poets!
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So next time you see snow or bugs waking up, just remember: ancient people already had it scheduled in the
solar terms. It’s sunlight with a spreadsheet.
Any new words?

Questions:
1. What are solar terms based on? ......................................................................................................................
2. Where can you still find solar terms today?.....................................................................................................
MCQ:
What is special about solar term names?
A. They are funny and made up by kids
B. They come from farmers’ jokes
C. They are poetic and helpful for nature
D. They always include the word “sun”

vi. Computus – Easter’s Math Puzzle

In medieval Europe, figuring out when to celebrate Easter was
a serious brain workout. Easter needed to be on a Sunday after
the first full moon after March 21. Sounds simple? Not really.
To solve it, people used something called computus—a set of
math rules that combined moon phases, solar years, and church
calendars. It wasn’t about superstition; it was about precision.
You could say it was the Excel sheet of religion.

The computus helped organize the entire church calendar. If you

got Easter wrong, all the other feast days would be off too.
That’s why monks studied astronomy, even if they never left the
monastery.
One clever trick was using the Metonic cycle, which matches
lunar months and solar years every 19 years. Another tool was
the Golden Number, not made of gold but super helpful for
moon tracking.

So no, they didn’t throw dice to pick Easter Sunday. They used observation, counting, and a bit of divine
geometry.
Any new words?
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Questions:
1. What three things did people use to find Easter? ...........................................................................................
2. What was the Golden Number used for? ........................................................................................................
MCQ:
Why did monks learn about the stars and moon?
A. To find out if the earth was flat
B. To pick the best Easter feast food
C. To leave the monastery and travel
D. To keep the church calendar correct

vii. Saros – Eclipses on Repeat

Want to predict an eclipse without a telescope? Just count 18 years, 11
days, and 8 hours. That’s the Saros cycle, and ancient sky-watchers used it
to amaze their friends.
The Babylonians noticed that after this exact time, the sun, moon, and
Earth lined up in almost the same way, and—boom!—another eclipse! It
wasn’t magic. It was a repeatable celestial rhythm.
They couldn’t explain why it worked, but they saw the pattern. Modern
scientists now know it’s because the orbits of the moon and Earth match
up every Saros cycle. NASA still uses it today.
Imagine marking your calendar: “Total eclipse in 18 years—don’t forget sunglasses!” It’s like nature’s slow-
motion alarm clock.
So if your great-great-great-great-great-grandpa saw a solar eclipse, chances are someone 18 years later did
too—just in a different part of the world.
Any new words?

Questions:
1. How long is one Saros cycle? ...........................................................................................................................
2.What did the Babylonians notice about eclipses? ............................................................................................
MCQ:
Why is the Saros cycle useful today?
A. It helps with building temples
B. It tracks animal sleep cycles
C. It lets scientists predict eclipses
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D. It shows how to plant crops

viii. Metonic Cycle – Syncing Moon and Sun

Here’s a cosmic math trick: 19 solar years = 235 lunar months. That’s the Metonic cycle, and it’s been used
since ancient Greece to fix a big problem—lunar calendars don’t match solar seasons.
Without it, lunar holidays would drift around the year like balloons in
the wind. Chinese New Year might end up in summer someday! The
Metonic cycle helps calendars stay in seasonal harmony.
The Greeks used it in their calendars and even built it into machines
like the Antikythera Mechanism. The Jews used it for their calendar
too, keeping Passover in spring.
It’s like lunar and solar calendars made a deal: “Let’s meet every 19
years to catch up.” Thanks to Meton (yes, it’s named after a guy!), the
moon and sun became better calendar roommates.
Any new words?

Questions:
1. What problem does the Metonic cycle solve? .................................................................................................
2. How often do solar years and lunar months match up? ..................................................................................
MCQ:
Why is the Metonic cycle important for calendars?
A. It keeps holidays in the right season
B. It makes days shorter every year
C. It shows how to write in Greek
D. It helps farmers name their animals

ix. Antikythera Mechanism – The Bronze Brain

In 1901, divers found a lump of corroded metal in a
Greek shipwreck. It turned out to be the Antikythera
Mechanism—a 2,000-year-old gadget that could
predict eclipses, moon phases, and even the Olympics.
It used gears, dials, and clever math. It showed the
Metonic cycle, tracked zodiac signs, and worked like a
cosmic alarm clock. Some call it the first analog
computer.
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Built long before laptops or electricity, it was probably used by Greek scientists to study the heavens. Its front
dial showed the sun and moon’s position. The back predicted eclipses using—guess what—the Saros cycle!
No one’s sure who made it, but it proves that ancient people weren’t just smart—they were engineering
prodigies.
It’s like finding an iPad in a time capsule from 100 BC—except it's full of gears instead of glass.
Any new words?

Questions:
1. What could the Antikythera Mechanism predict? ...........................................................................................
2. What powered this ancient machine? .............................................................................................................
MCQ:
Why is the Antikythera Mechanism surprising?
A. It was made from glass and stone
B. It looked like a modern iPad-
C. It was super old but very advanced
D. It could float in the ocean forever
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b. Weather Forecasting – The 10-Day Truth #Science&Technology
Your weather app predicts a warm and dry afternoon; you wear a summer dress and you wind up drenched by
an unexpected afternoon rainstorm. Research how meteorologists make weather forecasts and explore with
your team: how far ahead in time is a weather forecast useful? How might AI prediction models change the field
of meteorology? Be sure to also learn the difference between weather and climate models, and if they are still
accurate in face of a changing climate.

Weather forecasters aren’t wizards, but

they sure try hard. They use satellites,
supercomputers, and atmospheric data
to tell us what might happen in the sky—
rain, snow, heatwaves, or calm. This is
called meteorology—the science of the
atmosphere.
But even the smartest scientists can’t
predict specific weather more than 10
days ahead. That’s because the
atmosphere is chaotic—a tiny change
today can grow into a big storm
tomorrow. Think of it like trying to guess
what a room full of bouncing rubber
balls will look like after 10 seconds. Now
imagine guessing after 10 days!
A 2019 study says the best forecasts go up to 10 days. Some companies, like AccuWeather, offer 45- or even 90-
day forecasts—but experts call them “not feasible.” Most professionals agree these are more marketing than
science.
Still, meteorologists can give longer-range probabilistic forecasts, like “a warmer-than-average winter.” That’s
not guessing the exact temperature on Tuesday—it's showing likelihoods based on climate patterns.
So next time your sunny forecast becomes a rainstorm, don’t blame the weather person. They’re doing their
best—but nature sometimes forgets to follow the schedule.
Any new words?

Questions:
1. What tools do meteorologists use to make forecasts? ....................................................................................
2. Why can’t scientists predict the weather more than 10 days ahead? .............................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................................
3. What do experts say about 45- or 90-day forecasts? ......................................................................................
4. What is a probabilistic forecast? ......................................................................................................................
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MCQ
What does the text compare the atmosphere to?
A. A calm blue sky
B. A room full of rubber balls
C. A giant weather computer
D. A busy science lab

I AM CONFIDENT THIS MUCH OF MY UNDERSTANDING OF THESE READINGS:

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c. Weather vs. Climate Models – Same Engine, Different Roads #Science&Technology
Meteorologists and climate scientists both use computer models. These models take in data like air pressure,
temperature, wind, and sunlight. They break Earth into tiny 3D boxes (like Minecraft blocks!) and use math to
predict what happens next. This works for both weather and climate, because they follow the same physical
laws.
But here’s the key: weather models focus on short-term forecasts — like whether it will rain next week. They
need fresh data every day, like what’s happening in the sky right now. These models work well for about 3 to 7
days, then chaos takes over and things get blurry.

Climate models, on the other hand, don’t care about tomorrow’s weather. They simulate long-term patterns,
like how hot summers might get in 2100 or how often floods might happen each decade. They run for centuries,
and include extra systems like ocean currents and melting ice (the cryosphere).

Climate models use fewer blocks (lower

resolution) because they run longer, but they
still take supercomputers to power. While AI
is speeding up weather forecasts, scientists
still don’t trust AI alone for future climate
changes—because there’s no training data
for a future we haven’t lived yet.

So yes, both models are useful—just don’t

use a climate model to plan your weekend
picnic!
Any new words?

Questions:
1. What kind of data do both weather and climate models use? ........................................................................
2. How long do weather models usually work well? ...........................................................................................
3. What do climate models try to predict? ..........................................................................................................
4. Why don’t scientists fully trust AI for future climate changes? .......................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................................

MCQs
Why do climate models use fewer blocks than weather models?
A. Because they are about daily changes
B. Because they are easier to understand
C. Because they run for a long time
D. Because they use no real data
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d. AI Weather Forecasts – GenCast Joins the Forecast Team #Science&Technology
Weather prediction is hard work. Traditional weather models use supercomputers and tons of equations to
figure out wind, temperature, and rain. These systems need hours and thousands of processors just to tell us
tomorrow’s weather.
Now, scientists at Google DeepMind have built
something faster and smarter: an AI program
called GenCast. It learned weather patterns from
40 years of real data — like wind speeds, air
pressure, and humidity. Instead of solving
equations, GenCast uses that knowledge to guess
the future of the atmosphere in just 8 minutes!
In tests, GenCast predicted daily weather and
hurricanes more accurately than the best model
used today (the ENS system from Europe). It could
even spot where a cyclone would land up to 15
days ahead. That’s a big deal!
Energy companies can use GenCast to plan wind power. Meteorologists can use it to check for heatwaves,
storms, or cold snaps. It doesn’t replace human experts—it works alongside them, like a clever robot sidekick.

But it’s not perfect. Like any forecast, it might still be wrong (rain during your picnic again!). AI helps, but nature
still throws chaotic surprises. GenCast is a forecast friend, not a weather wizard.
Any new words?

Questions:
1. What do traditional weather models need to make a forecast?
2. What is GenCast and who made it?
3. How long does GenCast take to make a forecast?
4. What is one thing GenCast can do better than the ENS system?

MCQs
What is one reason GenCast is helpful?
A. It makes weather boring
B. It works without any data
C. It helps humans plan better
D. It controls the weather
I AM CONFIDENT THIS MUCH OF MY UNDERSTANDING OF THESE READINGS:
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COMPULSORY CHILL ZONE: YOU HAVE TO CHILL, THAT’S AN ORDER
Color the meme
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CROSSWORDS

Across Down

3. A strong weather system that GenCast can now 1. The 18-year cycle that predicts eclipses
track early
2. Ancient Greek mechanism that predicted
5. A 19-year cycle that keeps lunar and solar eclipses and games
calendars synced
4. Why accurate forecasts break down after 10
6. The Mayan 365-day calendar for seasons and days
farming
7. A calendar that mixes the moon and the sun to
track time
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8. The Aztecs used these as giant clocks to watch 9. A poetic Chinese solar term marking a farming
the sunrise season

11. Weather and climate models break Earth into 3D 10. A guess about future weather made by scientists
boxes like this game and AI

12. What powered the ancient Antikythera 12. Google’s AI tool that predicts the weather in 8
Mechanism minutes

13. A system of star signs used for both farming and

personality

14. Medieval method to calculate the date of Easter

FILL-IN-THE-BLANKS
1. The Chinese calendar has 24 ________ terms like “Awakening of Insects.”
2. The Mayan ________ Round happened every 52 years.
3. The Antikythera mechanism was found in a Greek underwater ________.
4. Weather models use high-resolution data, but ________ models run for centuries.
5. Climate models simulate systems like melting ________ (ice sheets).
6. The Aztec New Year happened when the ________ began to return.
7. The Mayan calendar didn’t predict the world ending in 2012 — it just marked a new ________.
8. The computus used the ________ Number to track the moon’s phase.
9. AI tools like GenCast don’t replace ________, but work beside them.
10. The Saros cycle repeats after 18 years, 11 days, and 8 ________.
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PART 4. Chaotic cycles: The world equation

#SocialStudies #SpecialAreas #Science&Technology

- A butterfly flaps its wings and a hurricane (eventually) pops to life on the other side of the world. Small changes
can have large impacts that may not be as random (or unpredictable) as they seem. Explore the field of chaos
theory, which attempts to understand how complex systems are built up from simple parts, then discuss with
your team: are there examples of such systems in society, and can they help us tell the future? Be sure to explore
the following terms:
emergence | self-organization | de-centralization | feedback | determinism
chaotic systems | sensitivity | flocking model | three-body problem | fractals
randomness | parameters | stable vs. unstable equilibria
- “Ripped jeans will be back in fashion in 20 years”, says one pundit. “We’ve been in a decade-long bull market,
but just you wait for the bear market”, says another. Research the following popular “cycles” in public discourse
today and explore with your team: what do they purport to predict, and how accurate are their predictions? Can
a popular “cycle” ever become a scientific model?
fashion cycle | nostalgia cycle | news cycle | business cycle
market cycle | Moore’s law | Eroom’s law | platform decay
bathtub curve of electronics | nomadic war machine
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4. Chaotic cycles: The world equation #SocialStudies #SpecialAreas #Science&Technology
a. EXPLORE: The field of chaos theory #SocialStudies #SpecialAreas #Science&Technology

A butterfly flaps its wings and a hurricane (eventually) pops to life on the other side of the world. Small changes
can have large impacts that may not be as random (or unpredictable) as they seem. Explore the field of chaos
theory, which attempts to understand how complex systems are built up from simple parts, then discuss with
your team: are there examples of such systems in society, and can they help us tell the future? Be sure to explore
the following terms:
emergence | self-organization | de-centralization | feedback | determinism
chaotic systems | sensitivity | flocking model | three-body problem | fractals
randomness | parameters | stable vs. unstable equilibria

Chaos in Society – Can It Help Us Predict the Future?

Chaos theory isn’t just for weather and physics. It can help us understand society, too.

Traffic jams, viral videos, stock markets, and group behavior all show signs of chaos. A single tweet can change
public opinion. One protest can ripple across nations. These are examples of emergence, feedback, de-
centralization, and sensitivity—all chaos tools.
By studying these patterns, scientists and planners can model behavior, like how diseases spread or how people
evacuate during storms. We can’t predict every detail—but we can prepare for possibilities.

Understanding chaos means seeing how complex systems grow from small rules. With the right models and
tools, we can spot danger zones, reduce risks, and design better systems.

So no, chaos can’t give you tomorrow’s lottery numbers. But it can show how tiny actions, like planting a tree
or speaking up, might change the world someday.
It’s like dominoes, popcorn, and jellybeans—all mixed into a giant science smoothie.
i. Emergence – Big Things from Small Rules

In chaos theory, emergence means when simple things

follow small rules and suddenly create something complex.
It’s like how ants, one by one, make giant colonies with
tunnels and food storage—but no ant is the boss! Or how
your school becomes noisy, calm, or even chaotic, based on
small actions from each student.

An easy example is how birds fly in huge flocks. Each bird just
copies its neighbors—fly close, don’t bump, follow—but
together, they create beautiful flying shapes. This is
emergent behavior: small actions creating a big pattern. No
one’s in charge, but the group still moves like a team.
In real life, traffic jams, cities, and even the internet show emergence. Nobody controls everything, but together
things grow and shift. Scientists study emergence to understand complex systems, like weather or economies.
So, small changes at the bottom can lead to big surprises at the top—kind of like a popcorn machine: tiny kernels
go in, and boom! You get a whole movie snack.
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Any new words?

Questions
1. What do ants create by following small rules? ................................................................................................
2. How do birds in a flock decide where to fly? ...................................................................................................
MCQ:
What is one real-life example of emergence?
A. A teacher giving orders
B. A snowstorm from space
C. A traffic jam from many cars
D. A robot building a house

ii. Self-Organization – Order Without a Boss

Self-organization means when a system becomes ordered by itself, without a leader telling everyone what to
do. Think of how snowflakes form—tiny water drops freeze into beautiful six-sided crystals, all by following the
same natural rules.

Another fun example is slime mold. It looks like

yellow goo, but it can find the shortest path
through a maze! No brain, no boss—just cells
working together.
In nature, we see self-organization in bee hives,
galaxies, and schools of fish. Each part follows
local rules, and suddenly, an organized system
appears.
In human life, this can happen too. Social media
trends, flash mobs, and even the way people
start clapping in sync at a concert—all examples
of self-organization.

This idea is key in chaos theory. Scientists are learning how order can grow from randomness. Understanding
self-organization helps us build better robots, traffic systems, and even predict group behavior.

It’s like a dance party where no one starts the music, but somehow everyone starts doing the Macarena at the
same time.
Any new words?
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Questions
1. What is self-organization? ................................................................................................................................
2. How does slime mold show self-organization? ................................................................................................
MCQ:
Which is an example of self-organization in people?
A. A king telling people what to do
B. A flash mob dancing together
C. A robot cleaning a house
D. A teacher making a lesson plan

iii. De-centralization – No King Needed

In a de-centralized system, there’s no single boss or center in charge. Instead, power and decisions are spread
out. Think of a pizza where everyone gets a slice—nobody has the whole thing!

The internet is a big example. There’s

no central computer running
everything. If one part goes down,
others still work. That’s why it’s hard to
“turn off the internet.”
In nature, ant colonies and bird flocks
are decentralized. No ant is the queen
of directions, but they still build
tunnels and find food. Birds don’t elect
a leader—each just follows the group.

De-centralization helps systems stay strong. If one piece fails, the others keep going. It’s useful in cities,
businesses, and even governments. That’s why some countries share power between regions or states.

In chaos theory, decentralization explains how complex behavior comes from many small, local decisions—not
one giant controller. Like a marching band without a conductor, but they still make music together (okay, maybe
slightly messier music).
Any new words?

Questions
1. What is a decentralized system?
2. Why is it hard to turn off the internet?
MCQ:
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Why are decentralized systems strong?
A. They never change
B. They have only one leader
C. They grow slowly
D. They keep working if one part fails

iv. Feedback – Loops that Talk Back

Feedback is when something in a system affects itself—like

talking into a microphone and hearing your own voice echo
louder and louder. That’s positive feedback, where the
effect keeps growing.
In negative feedback, the system calms down instead. Like
when your body sweats to cool off, or a thermostat stops
heating when it gets too warm.
Feedback loops are everywhere: in nature, in machines,
and in your brain. When birds chirp louder because others
chirp, or when prices rise because people think prices will
rise—these are feedback systems.

In chaos theory, feedback helps explain how systems grow

or stay balanced. If feedback is too strong, things go wild.
If it’s just right, you get stability.

Scientists and engineers use feedback to make systems smarter: automatic cars, climate models, and even
musical instruments!

Imagine a spaghetti pot bubbling over. You turn down the heat—that’s negative feedback. Or you scream into
the pot and it screams louder back—positive (and terrifying) feedback.
Any new words?

Questions
1. What is positive feedback? ..............................................................................................................................
2. What is one example of negative feedback in the body? ................................................................................
MCQ:
Why do scientists use feedback in systems?
A. To make the system louder
B. To grow random shapes
C. To help systems learn and adjust
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D. To stop using electricity

v. Determinism – Cause and Effect, No Surprises (Sort Of)

Determinism is the idea that if you know everything about a system—its starting point, rules, and forces—you
can predict exactly what will happen. Like dominoes: if you push the first one, the rest fall in order.
Physics often follows determinism. If you throw a
ball, you can calculate where it’ll land. But in
chaotic systems, even if the rules are clear, tiny
changes in starting points can lead to huge
differences later. That’s why the weather might
say “sun” and then—boom!—rain.
So chaos theory mixes determinism with surprise.
Systems can be deterministic but still
unpredictable. Because unless you measure
everything perfectly, the future becomes fuzzy.
Real life? The economy, weather, and your messy
room all follow rules… but you can’t always guess
what they’ll do next.

It’s like baking cookies with exact instructions—but your oven randomly changes temperature. You followed the
recipe, but somehow your cookie looks like a potato chip.
Any new words?

Questions
1. What does determinism say about knowing a system?...................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................................
2. Why can deterministic systems still surprise us? .............................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................................
MCQ:
Which example shows determinism with a twist?
A. Pushing dominoes and seeing random jumps
B. Tossing jellybeans into the wind
C. Following a cookie recipe but getting odd results
D. Walking into a room and forgetting why
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vi. Chaotic Systems – Predictable Rules, Wild Results
A chaotic system follows rules but behaves unpredictably. Not because it’s random—but because it’s super
sensitive to tiny changes.
Weather is the most famous chaotic system. A small
change in air pressure can lead to a storm on the
other side of the world. That’s the famous “butterfly
effect”: a butterfly flaps its wings, and a hurricane
forms far away.

Other chaotic systems include double pendulums,

traffic patterns, and even brain waves. They’re not
broken—they’re just incredibly complex.

Scientists try to model chaos using math, but it’s tricky. Even if the start is clear, after a few steps, predictions
fall apart.

This is why weather forecasts usually work for up to 7–10 days, but beyond that, chaos takes over. One drop of
error becomes a flood of confusion.
It’s like stacking cards: the rules are simple, but one wobble, and the whole thing collapses in a brand-new way
every time.
Any new words?

Questions
1. Why are chaotic systems hard to predict? .......................................................................................................
2. What is a famous example of a chaotic system? .............................................................................................
MCQ:
How do scientists try to understand chaos?
A. By ignoring small changes
B. By using simple guesses
C. By stacking more cards
D. By using math and models

vii. Sensitivity – Tiny Start, Big Change

In chaos theory, sensitivity to initial conditions means that a very small change at the beginning can make a huge
difference later. This is the heart of the butterfly effect.
Think of trying to balance a pencil on its tip. Even a tiny breeze or sneeze can make it fall in a totally different
direction. That’s sensitivity in action.
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This is why chaotic systems like weather, traffic, and even ecosystems
are hard to predict. If your weather model is just a little bit off—just one
missing cloud—it might totally miss tomorrow’s storm.

Scientists try to limit this by using better measurements and more

powerful computers. But even then, perfect prediction isn’t always
possible.

Sensitivity is important in other places too—like climate science, where small increases in temperature might
tip the system into big changes.

It’s like trying to guess what kind of sandwich your friend will order… after only hearing the word “cheese” and
knowing they’re very moody. The tiniest detail changes everything.
Any new words?

Questions
1. What does "sensitivity to initial conditions" mean? ........................................................................................
2. Why does one small error in weather models matter? ...................................................................................

MCQ:
What shows sensitivity in real life?
A. A friend always ordering fries
B. A pencil falling from a sneeze
C. A bike riding on a flat road
D. A cloud staying in one place

viii. Flocking Model – Birds Know Best

The flocking model explains how animals like birds, fish, and bugs
move together in giant groups without crashing. There’s no leader
giving orders. Each animal follows a few simple rules: stay close,
avoid bumping, and move like your neighbors.
When every creature follows these local rules, something amazing
happens: the whole group moves as one! Scientists call this a type
of emergence and self-organization.

Flocking isn’t just for birds. It’s used in robot design, animation,
traffic flow, and even predicting how crowds move at concerts or
sports games.

Mathematicians use computer models to study flocking. A famous one is the Boids model, where digital “birds”
follow three rules: separation, alignment, and cohesion. And poof—suddenly a swarm appears!
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This simple model shows how small actions lead to large patterns. It’s like hundreds of dancers doing freestyle,
but ending up in the same shape without even trying.
Any new words?

Questions
1. What rules do birds follow in a flock? ..............................................................................................................
2. What computer model shows flocking? ..........................................................................................................
MCQ:
Where else can we use the flocking model?
A. In cooking recipes
B. In robot design and crowd movement
C. In building furniture
D. In painting landscapes

ix. Three-Body Problem – A Cosmic Tug-of-War

The three-body problem sounds like a wrestling match—and it kind of is! It’s a physics puzzle about predicting
the motion of three objects (like planets or moons) pulled by gravity.
With just two bodies—like Earth and the Sun—the path is easy to
calculate. But once you add a third? Chaos begins. The objects tug on
each other in weird ways, and their paths become hard to predict.
This problem has no exact solution. Scientists can only estimate what
might happen using computer simulations. Even a tiny change in one
planet’s position can change the whole system later.
The three-body problem helps explain why predicting orbits, tides, and space missions is so tricky. It also shows
up in molecular science, economics, and other areas where many things pull on each other at once.
It’s like juggling three jellybeans in space. They follow rules—but land in wild places depending on where you
started.
Any new words?

Questions
1. What happens when three space objects pull on each other? .......................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................................
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2. Why is the three-body problem hard to solve? ...............................................................................................
MCQ:
What does the three-body problem help scientists understand?
A. Animal sounds
B. Art styles
C. Orbits and gravity
D. Ice cream melting

x. Fractals – Patterns Inside Patterns

A fractal is a shape made of repeating patterns, no matter how

closely you zoom in. It’s like a broccoli—each tiny floret looks
like a mini version of the whole vegetable. Zoom in again? Still
looks the same!
Fractals are found in nature: tree branches, coastlines,
snowflakes, even lungs. They aren’t smooth shapes like circles
or squares—they’re self-similar, full of little copies of
themselves.

Mathematicians can create fractals using simple rules. One

famous one is the Mandelbrot Set, a swirl of loops and spirals
that goes on forever. You can explore it with a computer and
never reach the end!
Fractals are useful too. They help with computer graphics, weather models, and even understanding how blood
vessels grow. They show how chaotic systems can still have structure inside the mess.
Think of fractals like Russian dolls made by nature—each one looks like the big one, but tinier and twistier!
Any new words?

Questions
1. What does a fractal look like when you zoom in?............................................................................................
2. Where can we find fractals in nature? .............................................................................................................
MCQ:
What is one use of fractals in real life?
A. Making smooth walls
B. Cooking pasta
C. Creating computer graphics
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D. Writing stories

xi. Randomness – Not Just Messy, But Sneaky

Randomness means there’s no clear pattern or rule to predict
what happens next. Like rolling a die—you can’t guess if it’ll be a 2
or a 6.
In chaos theory, randomness is tricky. Some things look random
but aren’t—they’re just too complex to predict easily. That’s called
deterministic chaos. It follows rules, but small changes make it
unpredictable, like a pinball machine with extra springs.

True randomness is found in quantum physics and coin flips (if you
ignore wind and hand movement). But a lot of what we call
random—like weather or stock prices—is actually from chaotic
systems.
Scientists study randomness to build better models, avoid system crashes, and even make encryption to protect
your data online.
It’s like a magician’s card trick: it seems random, but there's a secret pattern hiding behind the chaos (unless
the magician is just bad at math).
Any new words?

Questions
1. What is randomness? .......................................................................................................................................
2. What kind of randomness still follows rules? ..................................................................................................
MCQ:
What is one thing scientists use randomness for?
A. To water plants
B. To make better guesses in games
C. To protect data online
D. To clean up their desks

xii. Parameters – The Tiny Knobs That Change Everything

Parameters are the little numbers that control how a system behaves. Change one, and the whole system might
act totally different. It’s like turning the heat on your stove from 3 to 4 and suddenly burning your noodles.
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In weather models, parameters include things like wind
speed, humidity, or sunlight. In chaos theory, even small
changes in parameters can flip the system from calm to
crazy.

A famous example is the logistic map, a math formula

where changing one number turns a smooth curve into
wild bouncing chaos.
Engineers, scientists, and game designers all use
parameters. They help tweak systems to behave the way
we want—but too many changes and it’s goodbye control!
It’s like adjusting your alarm clock: one minute late and you miss the school bus; one minute early and you're
brushing your teeth in the dark.
Any new words?

Questions
1. What are parameters in a system? ..................................................................................................................
2. What happens when you change a parameter? ..............................................................................................
MCQ:
Why are parameters important?
A. They make everything go slower
B. They keep systems quiet
C. They control how a system behaves
D. They erase mistakes quickly

xiii. Stable vs. Unstable Equilibria – Balance or Boing!

An equilibrium is when a system is balanced—not changing much. But there are two types: stable and unstable.

A stable equilibrium is like a marble in a bowl. Push it, and it rolls back to
the center. A unstable equilibrium is like balancing a pencil on its tip. One
tiny poke and—boom—it falls over.

In chaos theory, systems can switch between stable and unstable. That’s
why the weather can be calm for days, then suddenly shift. It also happens
in economies, ecosystems, and even friendships!

Scientists use equations and models to study when systems stay steady and
when they tip. It helps predict events like market crashes or tipping points
in climate.
It’s like playing Jenga. At the start, it’s stable. But take out the wrong piece? Wobble wobble crash!
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Any new words?

Questions
1. What is a stable equilibrium like? ....................................................................................................................
2. What can cause a system to shift from stable to unstable?.............................................................................
MCQ:
What is one example of an unstable system?
A. A marble in a bowl
B. A pencil standing on its tip
C. A book on a shelf
D. A chair on the floor
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COMPULSORY CHILL ZONE: YOU HAVE TO CHILL – THAT’S AN ORDER
Color the meme
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CROSSWORDS

Across Down

7. A gooey organism that shows how smart self- 1. A space problem that’s impossible to solve
organization can be exactly with three moving objects

8. Power and control are spread out, not held in 2. When outcomes seem to have no clear pattern
one place or rule

10. A game that shows how stable things can 3. A loop where a system affects itself, like a mic
suddenly collapse echo or thermostat

13. A system’s balance point—can be stable or 4. Why small changes can cause big effects in
unstable chaotic systems
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14. A model where birds or fish move in groups with 5. When a system creates order on its own without
no leader a leader

15. Tiny settings that can flip a system from calm to 6. Big patterns formed by small rules, like birds
crazy flying in flocks

9. The idea that if you know the start, you can

predict the end

11. A system that follows rules but behaves

unpredictably

12. Patterns that repeat no matter how much you

zoom in

10 FILL-IN-THE-BLANKS
1. The butterfly effect shows how small things can cause big ________.
2. A feedback ________ can either balance or explode a system.
3. The Mandelbrot Set is a famous example of a ________.
4. Snowflakes are formed through natural self-________.
5. In the flocking model, animals follow ________ rules like "don’t bump."
6. The ________ problem shows how even gravity can be chaotic with more than two objects.
7. A marble in a bowl is an example of a ________ equilibrium.
8. Crowd movement at a concert can be predicted using ________ models.
9. A ________ system has no single leader but still works together well.
10. Viral tweets and flash mobs are examples of social ________.
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b. EXPLORE: popular “cycles” in public discourse #SocialStudies #SpecialAreas #Science&Technology
“Ripped jeans will be back in fashion in 20 years”, says one pundit. “We’ve been in a decade-long bull market,
but just you wait for the bear market”, says another. Research the following popular “cycles” in public discourse
today and explore with your team: what do they purport to predict, and how accurate are their predictions? Can
a popular “cycle” ever become a scientific model?
fashion cycle | nostalgia cycle | news cycle | business cycle
market cycle | Moore’s law | Eroom’s law | platform decay
bathtub curve of electronics | nomadic war machine

i. Fashion Cycle
The fashion cycle is like a merry-go-round for clothes. Trends
come in, go out, and then come back again — like ripped jeans!
This cycle usually goes through five stages: introduction, rise,
peak, decline, and obsolescence. Then, surprise! A few years
later, the same style returns like your boomer uncle’s dance
moves at a wedding.
People say fashion repeats every 20–30 years. For example, in
the 1990s, people wore bell-bottom jeans from the 1970s. Now,
Gen Z is bringing back 2000s low-rise jeans. It's like your closet is
a time machine.

Fashion trends are shaped by designers, celebrities, and even TikTok. But the cycle isn’t always correct.
Sometimes a style stays longer (like hoodies) or flops fast (remember Google Glass?).

The fashion cycle is not a scientific model — it doesn’t use math or data the way science does. But it tries to
predict what people might wear next. It's more of a stylish pattern than a strict law.
Any new words?

Questions
1. What are the five stages of the fashion cycle? ................................................................................................
2. Who helps start new fashion trends? ..............................................................................................................

MCQ:
Why is the fashion cycle not a scientific model?
A. It uses only TikTok videos
B. It changes clothes too fast
C. It doesn’t use data or math
D. It has too many stages
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ii. Nostalgia Cycle
The nostalgia cycle is like a time-traveling boomerang:
we keep throwing it into the past and it comes back
with old music, cartoons, or games. This cycle says that
every 20–30 years, people start loving the stuff they
grew up with. So if your parents loved Pokémon in the
1990s, guess what’s cool again? Yep, Pokémon cards!
Why? Adults miss the “good old days” when life felt
simpler. Companies know this and bring back old
movies, toys, and even soda flavors to make money
(hello, Crystal Pepsi).
A famous example: in the 2010s, people brought back 1980s fashion, music, and Stranger Things-style vibes.
Now, 2000s culture is trending again — butterfly clips, flip phones, and even MySpace-style fonts.
But is the nostalgia cycle always correct? Not really. Some stuff comes back strong, others get forgotten (sorry,
Tamagotchis). It’s not a scientific model because it doesn’t use real data to predict exact returns — it’s more of
a cultural rhythm, like a DJ playing old hits at a party.
Any new words?

Questions
1. What does the nostalgia cycle say happens every 20–30 years? ....................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................................
2. Why do companies bring back old toys or shows? ..........................................................................................
MCQ:
What kind of thing might return in the nostalgia cycle?
A. A new robot pet
B. A forgotten 90s cartoon
C. A modern phone update
D. A science textbook
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iii. News Cycle

The news cycle is how fast news stories are made, shared, and forgotten. It used to take a whole day — people
waited for the morning newspaper. Now, it’s super quick. Thanks to the internet and social media, news updates
happen every minute.

The cycle has stages: something happens, it’s reported, it spreads, people talk about it, and then — poof — it
disappears when the next big story comes. It’s like a hungry hamster on a wheel that never stops spinning.

This cycle wants to predict what people will care about next. But it’s not very accurate. Sometimes silly stories
(like a cat mayor) get huge attention. Big serious stories may be skipped if they aren’t exciting enough. The news
cycle isn’t a scientific model — it doesn’t follow fixed rules or data. It's more about attention than truth.

Also, fast news means more mistakes. Journalists may rush and forget to check facts. That’s like baking a cake
without reading the recipe — messy and burnt!
Any new words?

Questions
1. What are two problems with fast news? .........................................................................................................
2. What are the stages in the news cycle? ...........................................................................................................
MCQ:
Why is the news cycle like a hamster wheel?
A. It goes super fast and never stops
B. It only works at night
C. It uses newspapers only
D. It makes lots of noise
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iv. Business Cycle
The business cycle is like a rollercoaster
for the economy. It goes up, then down,
then up again — and hopefully not upside
down! It has four main stages: expansion
(growth), peak (yay, money!), recession
(uh-oh, slowdown), and recovery (back to
growing). Then it starts over.
People use it to predict what the economy
will do next: Will there be more jobs? Will
prices rise? But it’s hard to time perfectly
— like guessing when the ice cream truck
will come.

A real example: in the late 2000s, the world hit a big recession. Lots of people lost jobs. Then, slowly, economies
recovered and grew. Then came COVID-19, which crashed things again. Boom, bust, repeat!

Economists use data like GDP (how much stuff a country makes), inflation, and unemployment to track this
cycle. It’s one of the most scientific cycles on our list — based on real numbers and trends. But it’s not perfect.
Surprises still happen.
Any new words?

Questions
1. What are the four main stages of the business cycle? ....................................................................................
2. What data do economists use to study the business cycle? ............................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................................................
MCQ:
Why is the business cycle more scientific than others?
A. It has no ups and downs
B. It’s based on real numbers and trends
C. It always ends in a party
D. It is only about jobs

v. Market Cycle
The market cycle is like a moody dragon — it can be super happy (bull market) or very grumpy (bear market). It
shows how the stock market rises and falls over time. People invest more during the bull phase (prices go up),
and panic or sell during the bear phase (prices drop). Then eventually, things balance out — like the dragon
taking a nap.
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This cycle includes four parts: accumulation
(smart people quietly buy), uptrend (everyone
joins), distribution (smart people quietly sell),
and downtrend (others panic). Then it restarts.

A real example? After the 2008 crash, we had a

long bull market — over 10 years of stock
growth! But in 2020, COVID made the market
drop fast — classic bear.
Traders try to predict where we are in the cycle,
but it’s tricky. Even experts get it wrong — it’s like
trying to guess when your dog will bark next. The
market is emotional and affected by things like
wars, elections, or even tweets.
While based on data, the market cycle isn’t a strict scientific model — it’s a mix of math, mood, and mayhem.
Any new words?

Questions
1. What happens during a bull market? ...............................................................................................................
2. What is the “accumulation” stage? ..................................................................................................................
MCQ:
Why is the market cycle hard to predict?
A. It’s always happy
B. It moves like a sleepy turtle
C. It’s full of emotions and surprises
D. It never uses data

vi. Moore’s Law

Moore’s Law isn’t a law you’ll get arrested for breaking.
It’s a prediction from Gordon Moore, the co-founder of
Intel. In 1965, he said computer chips would get twice as
powerful every two years — and he was mostly right...
for a while.
Imagine your phone getting twice as smart every two
birthdays — like a goldfish turning into a genius octopus.
Thanks to Moore’s Law, computers became faster,
cheaper, and smaller. Laptops, smartwatches, even your
fridge — all got brainier because of this trend.
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For decades, this “law” helped guide the tech industry. Engineers planned ahead, knowing chips would improve
fast. But now, we're hitting limits. Chips are so tiny that electrons bump into each other — oops! So, Moore’s
Law is slowing down.

It’s not a true scientific law like gravity, but it worked like a map for computer progress. Now, scientists are
looking at new ways — like quantum computing — to keep the magic going.
Any new words?

Questions
1. What did Moore predict about computer chips? ............................................................................................
2. Why is Moore’s Law slowing down now? ........................................................................................................
MCQ:
What did Moore’s Law help people do?
A. Buy more soda
B. Sleep faster
C. Plan better tech
D. Use bigger pencils

vii. Eroom’s Law

Eroom’s Law is the evil twin of Moore’s Law. While
computers got faster and cheaper, medicine got...
slower and pricier! Eroom’s Law says: every year, it
takes more money and time to make a new drug.
Yikes!
Named by scientists in 2012, Eroom’s Law shows that
despite better tech, drug development has become
less efficient. It’s like trying to make a sandwich, but
the kitchen gets farther away every day.
For example, in the 1950s, many new antibiotics were discovered quickly. Today, finding one safe, working drug
can take over 10 years and billions of dollars. Why? Regulations are stricter, diseases are trickier, and tests are
super complex.

Eroom’s Law is based on real data, but it’s not a full scientific model. It doesn’t explain why this happens exactly
— it just shows the trend. It’s more of a scary signpost saying: “This way gets harder!”
Any new words?
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Questions
1. What does Eroom’s Law say about drug development? .................................................................................
2. Why is medicine getting harder to make? .......................................................................................................
MCQ:
How is Eroom’s Law different from Moore’s Law?
A. It talks about food
B. It shows things getting slower and costlier
C. It’s only for video games
D. It helps make faster computers

viii. Platform Decay

Platform decay is what happens when your favorite app
gets... kinda lame. It starts cool, fun, and full of memes. Then
over time: more ads, weird updates, and people leave. That’s
platform decay — when a digital platform slowly loses its
magic.

Think about Facebook. Once the place for college students,

now it's where your uncle posts blurry soup photos. Or
YouTube — once all cat videos, now full of clickbait and ads.
Even TikTok may get too stuffed to dance someday.
This cycle often goes: early users love it → more people join → companies flood it with ads → cool people leave
→ platform decays. It’s like a party that got too crowded and ran out of snacks.
Can we predict it? Sort of. Techies and sociologists study patterns, but platform decay is tricky — trends change
fast, and people are weird. So it’s not a scientific model yet, just a pattern we keep seeing.
Any new words?

Questions
1. What happens to apps during platform decay? ...............................................................................................
2. What often causes users to leave platforms? ..................................................................................................
MCQ:
What is a sign of platform decay?
A. More funny videos
B. Too many ads and updates
C. A better app name
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D. Less phone storage

ix. Bathtub Curve of Electronics

The bathtub curve isn’t about your
rubber duck. It’s a graph engineers
use to show how electronics fail
over time. It looks like a bathtub:
high at the start, flat in the middle,
and high again at the end.
Here’s how it works:

 Early failures: When gadgets are new, some break right away due to bad parts. Oops!
 Useful life: Then most work well for years — the flat part.
 Wear-out failures: Finally, they get old and start to break again — like a tired toaster.
This curve helps people plan how long devices will last and when to replace parts. For example, airplane
engineers use it to know when to check equipment. Your phone? It’s probably in the flat part... unless you
dropped it in actual bathtub water.
The bathtub curve is almost a scientific model — based on lots of real data and used in reliability engineering.
It doesn’t predict exactly when a device will fail, but it gives a good shape of its lifetime.
Any new words?

Questions
1. What are the three stages in the bathtub curve? ............................................................................................
2. How does the bathtub curve help engineers? .................................................................................................
MCQ:
Why is it called the bathtub curve?
A. It helps design bathtubs
B. It makes loud splashes
C. Its graph shape looks like a tub
D. It’s used by lifeguards
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x. Nomadic War Machine
The “nomadic war machine” isn’t a robot with wheels — it’s a wild idea from philosopher Gilles Deleuze. He
said that throughout history, nomadic groups (like Mongols or Bedouins) created powerful, flexible fighting
forces outside of regular governments. They moved fast, hit hard, and didn’t play by empire rules.
Think of it like this: empires build castles and roads. Nomads ride around those roads and shake everything up
— like bees zooming around a big, slow bear. These “war machines” aren’t just about war. They’re also about
resisting control, breaking borders, and creating movement.
This idea cycles in public talk whenever regular armies struggle. People say, “Hey, maybe guerrilla groups or
mobile rebels have the advantage now.” We saw this in the Vietnam War, and even in modern cyber-attacks —
where flexible groups beat slow, official systems.
Can it become a scientific model? Not really. It’s more of a philosophical tool — not measured with numbers
but used to think about power and freedom in society.
Any new words?

Questions
1. What kind of groups use nomadic war machines? ..........................................................................................
2. Why are these groups hard for empires to stop? ............................................................................................

MCQ:
What is one idea behind the nomadic war machine?
A. Building castles quickly
B. Moving fast and breaking control
C. Making roads for soldiers
D. Selling food to travelers

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CROSSWORDS

Across Down
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5. A cycle where trends like bell-bottoms keep 1. A nostalgic 2000s gadget now trending again
coming back every 20–30 years with Gen Z

8. A market phase where prices drop and panic 2. A pattern of economic rise, peak, fall, and
spreads recovery

10. What happens when your favorite app gets 3. A graph showing how electronics fail early, then
crowded and boring work well, then wear out

11. A financial loop that swings between bull and 4. A tech prediction that computer power would
bear moods double every two years

13. A once-loved 90s toy that didn’t quite make it 6. A philosophical idea where fast-moving
back during the nostalgia wave outsiders disrupt slow empires

15. A scary trend where medicine development gets 7. A cycle where people fall in love with the music,
slower and more expensive games, and shows from their childhood

9. A fast-moving loop where stories appear,

spread, and disappear quickly

12. A TV show that helped bring back 1980s culture

14. A market phase where prices are rising and

investors are confident

10 FILL-IN-THE-BLANKS
1. The fashion cycle has five stages: introduction, rise, peak, decline, and ________.
2. The ________ model helps explain how tech platforms become overcrowded and lose charm.
3. The news cycle is driven more by speed and ________ than by truth.
4. The business cycle tracks economic ups and downs using data like ________.
5. Moore’s Law helped guide the growth of the ________ industry for decades.
6. Drug discovery now takes longer due to stricter rules and ________ trials.
7. Platform decay often begins when more ________ flood the space with ads.
8. Bathtub curves are used by engineers to plan the ________ of machines and devices.
9. The nomadic war machine was used to explain modern ________ tactics.
10. Eroom’s Law is Moore’s Law spelled ________.