Vocabulary
Information about a file or recording that describes other information, such as its origin or creation.
What is metadata?
She narrates the story and produces the podcast.
Who is Nicole (Nicky) Tomlin?
This is the company at the centre of the investigation?
What is Cypher?
“So Perry, if you really meant what you said about this being declassified, you won't mind saying it right now.”
The first of the team to fall sick with PA1.
Who is Tamara?
The study of language and how it works.
What is linguistics?
This person leads Cypher and often insists that the team be cautious and evidence-based.
Who is Robin Lyons?
This is the name of the podcast that Nicky is recording.
Why is Cyphercast?
“Well, our actual marriages would probably like to see a bit more of us, but yes. It's one of those situations where two colleagues complement each other.”
Who is Ty?
She discovered that something intelligent made the signal and targetted it.
Who is Tamara?
The path or direction something follows as it moves through space.
What is a trajectory?
This professor is enthusiastic about the possibility that The Message comes from an intelligent source.
Who is Ty Waldman?
The name of the disease people contract after listening to the message
What is PA1?
“Yes, and thank you for giving the cushy one to the English major.”
Who is Jeanette?
It's Maude's line of work
What is hacking?
The process of examining a signal by breaking it into parts to understand it.
What is parsing?
This character looks for literary, musical, and cultural references in The Message.
Who is Jeanette Callen?
This major event changes the team's investigation from an intellectual puzzle into a medical emergency
What is Tamara contracts the disease?
“I mean, look, I like you, Nicky. Okay, like the first year, 2012 looks kosher-ish.”
Who is Maude?
Jeanette's specialty field of study.
What is language (linguistics) and culture (cultural associations)?
The tendency to favour evidence that supports what you already believe.
What is confirmation bias?
This character's illness helps turn the investigation into an immediate and dangerous crisis.
Who is Tamara Wiley?
The university that Nicky faked a Master's from.
What is the University of Chicago?
“Well, you see, I tried that first, but it seems your security won't let The Message be played over public networks. I said, how do I collaborate with them if I can't engage the problem?”
He first tells Nicky about the curse.
Who is Ronald Pekai?