Heling

Heling is a neologism used in some theoretical discussions and speculative fiction to denote the intentional guidance of a system—biological, ecological, technological, or social—toward a state of health or resilience after disturbance. The term is not widely standardized and has no single canonical definition.

Etymology: The coinage blends healing with engineering or resilience, and its meaning shifts with context, leading to varied interpretations across disciplines.

Definition and scope: Proponents describe heling as an integrative process that combines monitoring, feedback, and targeted interventions to restore function and stability while enhancing a system’s capacity to cope with future stressors.

Contexts of use: In real-world science, heling is not a formal term; related concepts appear under healing, restoration, resilience engineering, or regenerative design. In speculative fiction and transdisciplinary design, heling is used to illustrate proactive repair, adaptive management, and capacity building.

Methods and examples: Potential methods include diagnostics, adaptive control, rehabilitative therapies, ecosystem restoration, and design of self-healing materials or resilient information networks. Real-world equivalents are often described with established terms rather than the umbrella concept "heling."

Critique and challenges: Critics note ambiguity in the term, potential for misapplication, and ethical concerns when applied to living beings or communities. Clear definitions and safeguards are essential if used beyond fiction.

See also: healing, resilience, restoration ecology, regenerative design, self-healing materials, fault tolerance.