Glossary
Manipulated Living
The living people around the Receiver whose behaviour, without their knowledge, steers him toward returning the Artifact.
Sparrow says they are "often the close friends and neighbors of the Living Receiver" and "will do anything to save themselves from Oblivion". In the film every adult and classmate fits: their decisions - to send Sparkle Motion to Los Angeles, to fire Ms Pomeroy, to ambush Donnie at Grandma Death's house - each move the engine one step closer to the portal.
Defined in The Philosophy of Time Travel