Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Because all four element types have a class and archetype structure, ele-
ments of any type can undergo certain kinds of transformations. Elements can
flux into something more specific, from an archetypical state into a more con-
crete state, or flux into something less specific, from a concrete state into a
more archetypical state. An element changing to a more specific state can be
described as coming into focus, and an element reverting to archetypical form
is becoming unfocused.
Props
A prop element is a piece of scenery, a self-contained object or environmen-
tal component. Some sample props and the classes they belong to (classes are
denoted with a
∼
,archetypeswitha*):
rug: [
∼
floor/ground,
∼
cloth,
∼
scenery ]
potted plant: [
∼
plant,
∼
scenery ]
∼
∼
∼
pickaxe: [
tool,
weapon,
prop ]
curtain: [
∼
cloth,
∼
wall,
∼
scenery ]
Here are some classes and the props they contain:
∼
floor/ground: { *floor/ground, rug, the floor }
∼
cloth: { *cloth, rug, curtain }
∼
scenery: { *scenery, rug, potted plant, curtain }
Note that the classes are not hierarchical: although the
plant class is seemingly
more specific than the
∼
scenery class, the “potted plant” prop belongs to both.
Elements are never more than one step away from any of their archetype forms.
A prop that is the focus of the user's attention tends to flux into a more
specific state. Props that have been neglected by the user tend to revert to more
archetypical states. Thus it is possible that a rug, after a period of inactivity, may
revert to *cloth. But if the user then focuses on the *cloth, it may transform into
a curtain. An element that was once a type of
∼
∼
floor/ground is now a type of
∼
wall!
There exist classes and elements for which there is no easy nomenclature.
These elements, like the
floor/ground class above, are given a hybrid name
that is (hopefully) descriptive of that class. In other words, the
∼
floor/ground
classcontainspropslike“arug”,or“the ground”, without signifying any addi-
tional qualities, such as whether that element is an “indoor” or “outdoor” prop.
∼
