Minds communicate not with words, but with symbol, shapes, colors and lights. For any mind connected to an organic brain, this communication happens in the background, while they perceive most communications in whatever language their species uses. This part of the reason why Jack can refer to Alpha One by his human name when talking to a Juvo, and have the Juvo understand who he is talking about. When Jack was still in a human body, the thread which had been injected into him would translate the thoughts of his organic brain into mind speak before sending them to whomever he was talking to. When he had separated from his brain and merged with the Lights systems, his own mind took over that task without him needing to do anything.
The Lights systems use mindspeak in their displays. On the maps, it was used to denote locations or people.
| Symbol | Human Interpretation | Actual Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Red glow | Alien settlement | Light building |
| Green glow | Human settlement | Correction facility |
| Cycling color spot | Location of map | Target |
| Large solid white light | Light ball | A Light |
| Single Striped white spot | Huge light ball | Clan leader (Alpha Two) |
| Small white spots | Strings | Strings |
| Six hexagons in a ring | Command center for an alien settlement | Home |
Shapes can contain one or more colored stripes inside which denote various characteristics.
| Trait Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Red stripe | Violent |
| Orange stripe | Angry |
| Yellow stripe | Controls others |
| Blue stripe | Seeker of justice |
| Green stripe | Compassion |
| Purple stripe | Intelligence |
| White spots | Intelligent organic life form |
| Grey spots | Young intelligent organic life form |
| Black spots | Dead intelligent organic life form |