Dobishme

Dobishme is a term used in contemporary literary and media theory to describe a mode of storytelling and documentary practice that foregrounds uncertainty, interactivity, and the blurring of fact and fiction. In this usage, works labeled as dobishme invite active audience participation, often by presenting incomplete evidence, open-ended narratives, or meta-textual commentary on the processes of creation. The concept is primarily discussed in online forums, indie publishing, and experimental film circles rather than in mainstream critical curricula.

As a neologism, dobishme has an uncertain single origin. It emerged in the 2010s within digital culture discussions and later appears in scholarly essays and zines. The term is typically treated as a broad category rather than a strict theory, with its name sometimes treated as a placeholder for evolving practices rather than a fixed doctrine.

Typical features of dobishme include non-linear or fragmentary structure, unreliable narrators, deliberate ambiguity, and an emphasis on audience interpretation. It often overlaps with participatory culture, alternate reality games, and documentary-style media that challenge traditional boundaries between creator and viewer. Works described as dobishme may blend factual presentation with speculative or fictional elements to encourage reflective engagement rather than passive consumption.

Reception and significance: Supporters argue that dobishme expands expressive possibilities and democratizes storytelling, while critics warn it can obscure authorial accountability and contribute to information ambiguity. The term remains informal and is used mainly as a descriptive label rather than a formal theory, with its precise boundaries varying among practitioners and scholars.