Extinktion

Extinktion is a neologism used in speculative fiction and theoretical discussions to denote a hypothetical phenomenon or process that results in the rapid erasure of existence, records, or memory. The term, a stylized blend of extinction and rapid removal, has no fixed definition and is applied variably by different authors and commentators.

Uses of the concept tend to fall into several strands. In ecological or planetary contexts, Extinktion may describe an event causing species loss or ecosystem collapse beyond ordinary extinction, sometimes through technologies, climate shifts, or cosmic factors. In cultural and archival contexts, Extinktion refers to the loss or deliberate erasure of languages, traditions, artifacts, or digital records, often raising questions about preservation, memory, and historical responsibility. In information or digital contexts, Extinktion can denote erasure of data, censorship, or destruction of digital traces, sometimes implicating surveillance, security, or governance.

In fiction and media, Extinktion serves as a plot device to explore themes of vulnerability, resilience, and the ethics of preservation versus forgetting. It is typically treated as irreversible or near-irreversible, with stories focusing on attempts to prevent or mitigate its effects, or to reconstruct what was lost.

Scholarly discussions treat Extinktion as a rhetorical or exploratory concept rather than a formal scientific category. It is useful for examining how humans understand loss, risk, and the boundaries of memory, both biological and cultural. See also extinction, erasure, information theory, and memory studies.