Mittelineaarsust

Mittelineaarsust is a fictional term used in speculative discourse to denote a hypothetical cognitive-perceptual state in which attention and action are maintained along the body's midline, producing a sustained, linear focus. In this imagined framework, the midline axis serves as a stabilizing reference for perception, gaze, and motor output, reducing lateral distractions and promoting precision in tasks that require straight-line trajectories or symmetrical processing.

Etymology for mittelineaarsust is not standardized, since the term is a neologism used mainly in fictional or thought‑experiment contexts. It is commonly interpreted as combining ideas of a central, midline reference (midline/middenlijn) with sustained processing or state (sustained, sust). Different writers treat the word as a heuristic label rather than a definable biological mechanism.

In practice within the fiction or hypothetical discussions, mittelineaarsust is sometimes described as something that can be enhanced through training, neurofeedback, or advanced neural interfaces. Proponents suggest effects such as steadier gaze, improved balance, more consistent timing, and heightened perception of symmetry. However, these claims are speculative and not supported by empirical research.

Reception among scholars and readers tends to be cautious or skeptical, since mittelineaarsust lacks an operational definition and verifiable criteria. Critics point out that aligning perception and action with a midline could overlap with known phenomena such as proprioception, vestibulo-ocular reflex, or attentional focus, making the concept more a metaphor for precision than a distinct mechanism. It is mainly used as a narrative or philosophical device rather than a scientifically established state.

See also: midline, symmetry, proprioception, attention, brain-computer interface, fictional terminology.