The Worldbuilder’s Lexicon
The Worldbuilder’s Lexicon: for dreamers designing radical, liberatory spaces.
A reference guide for those who know imagination is the first step toward revolution.
As a neurocomplex individual, my brain has always been tuned for pattern matching. I’m really good at noticing when things line up… and when they don’t. That includes moments when people say one thing but really mean another.
I can’t remember the first time I side-eyed a word that everyone else accepted without question. But over time, I became more and more convinced of this: words shape culture.
As a former library kid (now a library ambassador… shout out BPL!) I’ve always loved books, reading, and the nuances of words. I even read the dictionary for fun when I was younger. 🤷🏽♀️
(Sidenote: I also make up words ALLLLL the time. Just me?)
For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved words. Not just their ability to tell a story, but their power.
Words are spells.
There’s a reason we call it spelling. Words are magic. They shape reality. They summon entire worlds into being.
The right words can open doors, ignite movements, and dismantle harmful systems. The wrong ones can keep people locked out, unheard, and unseen.
Spells.
Spelling.
It’s not a coincidence. There’s a connection between the way witches cast magic and the way we cast meaning into the world.
Words bind, and words liberate.
So if we’re serious about change, we have to be serious about language.
About a decade ago, I recall being in a room full of smart, thoughtful people—people actively trying to make learning, collaboration, and society as a whole better—and yet, the words they relied on were… broken.
These words reinforced old power structures. They erased entire histories.
👉🏽 They asked for “engagement” but meant compliance.
👉🏽 They demanded “professionalism” but meant assimilation.
👉🏽 They strove for “mastery” but ignored the violent history embedded in that idea.
And yet, if you challenged these words, if you asked, “Wait, what do we actually mean by that?” people would either shrug, or roll their eyes, or get defensive. As if words just are, rather than being constructed, wielded, and passed to others.
The words we choose (or never question) determine who gets access, which voices carry weight, and what ideas get taken seriously.
If we’re not careful, we end up reinforcing the very things we set out to disrupt.
- We call for “neutrality” when we mean avoiding discomfort.
- We praise “resilience” when we mean surviving an unjust system.
- We demand “merit” when we mean similarity to people currently in power.
So many invisible ways to uphold the same ole bullsh*t.
I think it’s important to note: Language is a tool. A powerful one. But I’m not here to hand you a list of “correct” words to memorize. This glossary is not about moral purity, linguistic gatekeeping, or proving who’s the most enlightened in the room.
Words are sculptors.
If we say we want liberation, equity, and better ways of working together, then our language should reflect that. Not because it’s “polite” or “progressive,” but because words sculpt how we think, how we move, and what we make possible.
So take what’s useful. Question what isn’t. Add to it, challenge it, expand it.
I don’t presume to know everything. This is a living, breathing glossary. If you see something missing – if there’s a term you think belongs here, tell me! Reach out. We’ll build this together.
Now, let’s get into what there is so far, yeah?
The worldbuilder’s
Lexicon
A reference guide for those who know imagination is the first step toward revolution, and that words shape our thinking.
(click » to expand):
A
attempting to create the conditions for (political or social) change to happen. Things like campaigning, letter writing, sit-ins, and riots are what come to mind first for most people. But it’s also things like creating a community garden, buying from local businesses, making art, telling stories, and having conversations. This is why workshops are a form of community organizing: they bring people together to take action.
active+ist = a person who does activism. Someone attempting to create the conditions for changeto happen. They are in motion away from the status quo, or toward some ideal.
not violence and ‘chaos’ but order without rulers. Without hierarchy. A society with an absence of government. All members are equal – decisions are made equitably (the Collaboration end of the Governance Gradient).
your truth. It’s why you’re here. It’s what drives you to do this work. (That’s why it connects to the Worldbuilding Elements of Religion and History—the beliefs and stories that shape our world.) The Community you work with, the ways you structure your workshop for Engagement, and the content that makes up your Substance should all reflect your Authenticity.
the recognized “right” to command, control, and enforce obedience. Authority is about hierarchy. It’s often confused with (1) influence, respect, and inspiration (2) coordination and organization of people and resources, (3) expertise and knowledge, and (4) force & violence (as shared by Andrew Sage on his podcast.) however, these other 4 things don’t *require* hierarchy like authority does. You can share what you know without being an “authority”
B
where you’re delivering your ideas with clarity and control. Think lectures or keynotes. It’s powerful when the goal is delivering information efficiently, but relying on it too much can leave the audience disengaged. Hierarchy is very apparent. This is the lowest level of equity on the Governance Gradient, and creates an Equity Mirage.
C
positioning you and your guests as equals, co-creating the experience. You focus less on speaking, and more on creating space for conversations to happen between others. Decisions are democratic. Power is shared. This is the highest level of equity on the Governance Gradient.
The sharing of our emotional & spiritual selves with one another. A creative, transcendent, and communal experience that allows us to be more than just our capacity for labor.
(defined by author and storytelling coach, Dr. Joey Yung-Jun Liu)
who is part of this world and how are they connected? Community is about decentering yourself as an “expert” and undoing hierarchy. That’s why it ties to the Worldbuilding Elements of Life Forms and Society & Culture: the network of people, relationships, and structures that shape our lives.
people coming together and addressing issues that matter to them. It’s how movements grow. Workshops can be a form of community organizing.
enthusiastic, informed, and ongoing agreement to participate. People are clear on what they’re signing up for, are happy to do it, and can opt out at any time. We cannot assume consent for any individual activity, just because people are in attendance at our workshop. True power sharing requires active, widespread, and uncoerced involvement. We’d do well to check in, and ask as often as possible!
responding to attendees’ questions and offering them advice. Think Q&A sessions or panels. It’s slightly more interactive but still leans heavily on your expertise, which can dominate the space if overused. This is the second lowest level of equity on the Governance Gradient.
As living beings, we are inseparable from the interconnected living systems–the Creation in many worldviews. Creativity is simply to channel the energetic forces that bring life forward. Creativity is collective, relational, intuitive, liberatory, care, communion, healing, aligning, teaching, sense-making, place-making, codifying, transmitting knowledge, and honoring the sacred. To live is to create. To live intentionally is to create intentionally, powerfully, and radically. (defined by author and storytelling coach, Dr. Joey Yung-Jun Liu, bolding is my own.)
a combination of logic + exploration on the CODE Compass. Exploring unknowns and searching for truth. Experimenting. Seeking new perspectives. Questioning assumptions. Curiosity helps to disrupt the status quo.
D
a combination of logic + expression on the CODE Compass. Sharing power. Taking action. Pivoting as needed. Decisiveness helps us take the steps needed for progress to occur.
E
Rather than a process for acquiring knowledge, skills, values, and habits, education is a social institution that functions as an instrument of capitalism—sorting, conditioning, and reproducing the existing social and economic order. Far from neutral, it legitimizes inequality even as it is framed as a pathway to opportunity—a better life. (as defined by Education Strategy Coach, Samantha A. Murray)
a way of connecting with others or ourselves through energy. Intuitive and feeling-based.
true participation. Not just being present, but being involved in ways that matter. It aligns with Politics & Power(who has a say) and Magic & Technology (the tools that enable change). Variety here is crucial for making sure as many people as possible feel welcomed to get involved.
a balanced power dynamic. Equity is form of fairness and equality that accounts for our different starting points, strengths, and needs. It’s not about treating everyone the same, but about ensuring everyone gets the resources, opportunities and support they need to thrive.
when a workshop or space looks inclusive and collaborative on the surface, but in reality, the power dynamics are still lopsided. Maybe participants are speaking up, but it’s just background vocals behind you singing the lead. Or it does feel like a conversation, but you’re still the one calling all the shots.
a combination of emotion + expression on the CODE Compass. Making feelings tangible. Engaging the senses. Bringing ideas and imagination to life.
inquisitive, open-ended discovery. Can be introspective, or focused externally on other people, ideas, etc.
outward sharing of ideas, emotions, and experiences. Can be spoken, written, visual, or embodied. Expression is the bridge between imagination and reality. The act of making the invisible visible.
F
a kind of activism. Holding space for people to share knowledge, exchange resources, and experience a sense of belonging. Facilitation relies heavily on the Collaborating end of the Governance Gradient, with some Guidance mixed in.
G
a transformative tool for revolution. In a game, we stretch ourselves within its rules and constraints. We explore new ways of acting, feeling, and deciding. Games expand our agency. They let us test-drive a version of the world (and ourselves!) that doesn’t exist yet. Bernard Suits’ definition: games are a voluntary attempt to overcome unnecessary obstacles. People choose to play because it seems interesting or fun. If they don’t consent joyfully, it’s a task, not a game.
people who create experiences that anticipate how people will respond in a variety of circumstances. They shape behaviour with constraints that keep things interesting. They rule out 😉 anything too obvious or boring.
capitalist-imperialist imitations of games. We want to create games, not gamification. Game designers actually shape behaviour with care, agency, and play… not manipulation.
where you give participants instructions, ask them questions, and lead the group through interactive processes. They contribute more while you steer the ship. This is where participants begin to feel ownership of the process. This is the second highest level of equity on the Governance Gradient.
a tool to help you recognize where you are on the spectrum of low to high equity in your session. (low) Broadcast – Consultation – Guidance – Collaboration (high)
Equity lives at the “Collaboration” end of the gradient, so the more you move in that direction, the more you’re sharing power with your participants.
H
the stratification of society which gives some individuals, groups, or institutions authority over others. Hierarchy forces obedience and places some people ‘above’ others. (as shared by Andrew Sage on his podcast.) The more you move along the Governance Gradient (toward Collaboration) the more hierarchy dissolves.
I
the practice of ensuring people aren’t just tolerated and allowed in a space, but actively valued and welcomed. Inclusion goes beyond representation to create spaces where evryone’s perspective is sought after and treated with care
“those with creation stories, not colonization stories, about how we/they came to be in a particular place – indeed how we/they came to be a place.” (Tuck & Yang, 2012)
J
K
L
“Land as an Indigenous philosophical construct is both space & place; it is also conceptual, experiential, relational, and embodied.” (Styres, 2017) For many Indigenous and collective peoples, Land is kin and ancestor, an entity with personhood, with whom we are (or should be) in reciprocal relationships of care.
(defined by author and storytelling coach, Dr. Joey Yung-Jun Liu)
the process of being responsible for self and responsive to others (defined by Liberatory Leadership Coach Petra Vega of Create More Possibilities.)
To live is to learn. According to systems theorists & biologists, being alive & cognition is inseparable. To be alive & exist in living systems is to engage in different levels of cognitive processes (thinking, perceiving, experiencing, making sense of, reflecting, analyzing, taking action. experimenting, hypothesizing, intuiting, creating, summarizing, messaging).
Learning, adaptation, and progress is made continuously through the cognitive processes that are inseparable from being alive. (defined by author and storytelling coach, Dr. Joey Yung-Jun Liu)
is the act of setting someone free from imprisonment, slavery, or oppression; freedom from limits on thought or behavior (also from Petra Vega of Create More Possibilities.)
an ongoing practice, grounded in showing up in a way that sets people free (from Petra Vega of Create More Possibilities.)
M
A term loaded with the illusion of a final, better, “top” destination. There’s a heavy historical burden on this word. It’s loaded with hierarchy. Rather than an end state, I see mastery as a continuous process of unlearning, relearning, and evolving.
a system that promotes equality and upward mobility based on the idea that individuals earn and deserve what they have solely because of effort and ability. (as defined by Samantha A Murray)
Meritocracy validates those already in power and conceal systemic inequities, suggesting that those “with” have earned it fairly, and those “without” either need to work harder, or just aren’t smart enough.
an adaptable structure used across a variety of knowledge-sharing areas (speeches, workshops, coaching, teaching, training, etc). There are six facets to workshops planned with the MetaPattern concept: opening, perspectives, concepts, skills, possibilities, closing.
N
O
A combination of emotion + exploration on the CODE Compass. Navigating inner worlds. Listening. Making space for human complexity. Going deeper (gently!) into the feelings side of things.
P
Places are abstract spaces that have become concrete–occupied & storied. Places are where meaning has been collectively made in & attached to a location. Places grow from the lives and cultures of their inhabitants and are woven by the recognition of that space by its inhabitants. See also: space, and land.
(defined by author and storytelling coach, Dr. Joey Yung-Jun Liu)
having the resources (skill, capacity, money, etc.) to influence people and outcomes. Power can be wielded with a variety of intentions, with or without consent of those involved.
building the new world in the shell of the old one. eg. Acting in anti-capitalist ways, even when living in late-stage capitalism. The future is made by what we do in the present. Workshops 6.0 are prefigurative – we’re practicing the future, now.
Q
R
focused on repair. Restorative practices teach us to lean into rebuilding, and replenishing, rather than throwing things away when they become damaged. (This includes relationships). A way to keep moving forward, with care.
is a philosophy and set of practices rooted in indigenous values of interconnection that focus on building and strengthening relationships. Restorative Justice is rooted in equity and trust, and harm is repaired when it occurs.
Additional context: Howard Zehr, the “grandfather“ of restorative justice defines it as a process to involve (to the extent possible) those who have a stake in a specific offense and to collectively identify and address harms, needs, and obligations in order to heal and put things as right as possible. (Shared by David Ryan Barcega Castro-Harris of Amplify RJ.)
S
Sacred is that which we hold with intention in the highest or deepest regard. In Indigenous & collective peoples worldviews, sacred is inseparable from connection and interconnectedness, encompassing both our physical & spiritual existences. To regard something as sacred is to tend to your relationship with that thing (whether physical or spiritual); to hold something as sacred is to enact care. (defined by author and storytelling coach, Dr. Joey Yung-Jun Liu)
a.k.a webinar. Lecture-heavy and often have very little in the way of interaction, usually ending in a sales pitch. The host talks, and you pay to hear their ideas, then pay again for access to actually do some work with them later. There is a tendency for these ShopShops to be low in integrity and destroy trust. The sales aspect is usually obfuscated, and the content is overhyped. (A concept from my piece on the eras of workshops)
Sovereignty refers to one’s right to self-determine or choose. It encompasses notions of agency, autonomy, and power. In an Indigenous & collective people’s worldview, sovereignty is inseparable from the collective existence and denotes relationally & reciprocally shared power to self-determine and exist in both freedom & community. In the context of modern systems of oppression and western domination, sovereignty is a key concept in liberatory practices– including political, educational, psychological, cultural, ecological, relational, and wellness.
(defined by author and storytelling coach, Dr. Joey Yung-Jun Liu)
Space refers to the abstract blank canvas we exist within, the void that we fill with our stories, knowledge, communion, and sense-making. See also: place, and land
(defined by author and storytelling coach, Dr. Joey Yung-Jun Liu)
Story is sense-making our lived experiences & wisdom into forms of self-expression as communion. From an Indigenous perspective, stories are inseparable from knowledge, from the people who transmit the knowledge, and from the relationships between teller and listener. Stories are how we human together. (defined by author and storytelling coach, Dr. Joey Yung-Jun Liu)
what people are really learning (and unlearning) – the content, and context. Substance is about the depth beneath the surface and how ideas are layered. That’s why it connects to The Worldbuilding Elements of Language (the ideas we’re working with, and how they’re layered) & Environment (the spaces and conditions we create).
T
This term is overused and has been watered down. Real transformation isn’t just about a good experience; it means something fundamentally changes. It’s a shift away from what was, into something new. New decisions. New actions. New thinking. New ways of moving in the world.
U
V
W
see: ShopShop (A concept from my piece on the eras of workshops)
a skill (or part of a process) is practiced live, and then also applied later in the real world. Where we build worlds that have never existed before. (A concept from my piece on the eras of workshops)
part escapism, part activism, part art. Unlike in a hierarchical setting, guests in a ‘world’ are actively exploring, and co-creating. Worldbuilding shifts us away from curriculum-first thinking, into planning an experience that is layered, immersive, and full of depth (read more here).
the disparate components of worldbuilding that help us create a rich, nuanced, and sticky experience. In my framework the eight major areas are: Religion, History, Life Forms, Society & Culture, Politics & Power, Magic & Technology, Language, Environment (read more here).
X
Y
Z
a way of sharing information widely, cheaply, and relatively easily. Similar to a pamphlet, but cool. Usually a mix of words and images on a single sheet of paper (mini-zine) or many pages bound together. These pages are easily photocopied or re-printed from libraries or home offices, making distribution hard to stop. Often more accessible and digestible than other formats.
Words shape worlds, so let's be intentional.
Language is never neutral. It carries history, power, and possibility. The words we use – especially in spaces meant for collaboration, learning, and change – either reinforce old systems or carve out new ones. This glossary is an invitation to think critically about the language we take for granted and to wield words with intention.
When we shift the words we use, we shift how we think.
And when we shift how we think, we shift what we believe is possible.
Imagine a world where “engagement” means curiosity instead of compliance. Where “professionalism” means authenticity instead of assimilation. Where the language we use doesn’t just reflect the status quo but actively builds the future we want.
So what’s next? Try this: the next time you hear a word that feels off—vague, loaded, or misused—pause. Ask, “What do we really mean by that?” As workshop hosts and facilitators, this is part of our responsibility. But we can do this in our daily lives, too.
Start noticing. Start questioning. Start rewriting.
The more we refine our language, the more we can break old spells and cast new ones that shape the world we want to live in.
And if you’re ready to dive deeper, let’s keep the conversation going. I want to hear from you. What words do you see being misused in your spaces? What terms belong in this living, breathing glossary? Let’s build this together.
There’s a heart-shaped speech bubble floating on this page. You can use that to send me a message with the words you’d add to the list, and definitions you want to share. Or reach out on Instagram or Voxer! I’m @thehellocode on both.
send me a message!
Whatcha thinkin'?
If you want to send me a message with your thoughts… It’d make me very happy!
There’s a floating chat bubble in the shape of a heart near the bottom of the page.
Your message will be sent directly to me and I’ll reply to you when I can. 💛
I’d love to know what comes up for you as you explore these ideas. I mean it!
