@cstross@wandering.shop @anthracite@dragon.style I googled it and the answer seems to be illuminating for your use. If you're reading sci-fi and don't expect to come across new to you ideas and terms, umm. What are you doing here?. As a reader I expect a period where I don't fully grok what's going on, or important parts of the setting. It important as a precursor to get that 'Ooh' moment of understanding.