teosteks

Teosteks are a class of digital artifacts used in speculative, educational, and artistic contexts to explore the interface between theoretical arguments and narrative exposition. A teostek typically takes a core theory or proposition and outputs a structured text that blends formal argument with narrative or illustrative scenarios. They are designed to help readers engage with abstract ideas by anchoring them in example narratives while preserving traceability to source concepts.

Etymology and origins: The term arose in online discussions in the early 2020s; its exact origin is debated. It is generally treated as a neutral label for a class of generated texts that foreground theory-to-text transformations.

Construction: A teostek engine integrates theory modules (concept definitions, axioms), narrative modules (character-driven scenarios, examples), and output templates (sections such as abstract, method, results, discussion). Outputs typically include metadata flags indicating speculative elements, and references or suggested readings.

Variants and uses: Variants differ in degree of fictional content, level of technical detail, or interactivity. Uses include teaching theory, illustrating argumentative structure, and curating themed exhibitions that juxtapose claims with counterfactual scenarios.

Reception and critique: In academia and curation, teosteks are seen as a useful didactic tool when clearly labeled, but criticized when they blur lines between established facts and fiction. Proposals emphasize transparency about generated content and provenance, and the inclusion of citation-style references where applicable.

See also: Generative text, interactive museum exhibit, educational technology.