jupists

Jupists are a term used in speculative fiction to describe either inhabitants of the planet Jupiter or adherents of a fictional doctrine known as Jupism. The expression is not part of established real-world disciplines, and there is no real population formally recognized as Jupists.

Etymology and usage: The name combines Jupiter with the suffix -ist. In published works, jupists appear across a range of genres and eras, with meanings that vary by author—sometimes referring to residents of Jupiter, other times to followers of a philosophy or movement associated with the gas giant.

In fiction: If portrayed as Jupiter’s inhabitants, jupists are often imagined living in floating or atmospheric cities high in the planet’s upper layers, relying on advanced life-support systems and gas-foil or drag-based technologies to survive the harsh environment. When used to denote believers in Jupism, jupists are depicted as adherents of a techno-scientific worldview that emphasizes exploration, rationalism, planetary engineering, and pragmatic resource management. The specifics of social structure, governance, and daily life differ widely between works, ranging from meritocratic engineering circles to more factional or religiously tinged communities.

Culture and society: Jupist portrayals commonly center on engineering prowess, collective problem-solving, and adaptive technologies for extreme conditions. Political organization is variable, from centralized technocratic bodies to loose coalitions of researchers and colonists. Language, ritual practices, and social norms are equally diverse across different depictions.

Real-world status and reception: The term jupist appears primarily in science fiction literature, games, and fan discussions. It has not entered mainstream scientific or academic discourse as a real demographic or belief system.

See also: Jupiter; science fiction; space colonization.