extrag

Extrag is a fictional term used in speculative fiction and collaborative world-building to describe a category of non-material information-energy that can traverse both physical and digital realms. In narratives, extrag often functions as a bridge between matter and information, enabling phenomena such as instantaneous data transfer, interference with devices without direct contact, or the emergence of non-local effects in virtual environments.

Etymology and origin: The term appears to have emerged in online science-fiction communities during the late 2000s; it is typically treated as a portmanteau related to “ex” outside and a suffix suggesting beyond or traversal. Because it is used by multiple authors, there is no single canonical derivation, and its precise meaning varies by work.

Usage in media: Extrag figures in novels, games, and collaborative lore. Authors describe extrag as existing outside conventional spacetime modules, with properties that differ by narrative—sometimes massless and intangible, other times as a manipulable field detectable by specialized sensors. In several stories, extrag is exploited by civilizations to power advanced computation, store memories, or cloak signals, making it a versatile device for exploring information- and boundary-related themes.

Relation to real terms: Extrag is distinct from established scientific terms and should be understood as a fictional concept within encyclopedic contexts. It is sometimes used as a thought experiment to explore themes such as the nature of information, consciousness, and the border between digital and physical reality.