Fums

Fums are a term used in speculative discussions of information dynamics to denote a discrete unit of influence or information transfer within a network. In these discussions, a fum is imagined as the smallest indivisible quantum that can move from one agent to another and thereby contribute to the propagation of a message or behavior. Unlike continuous measures such as views or shares, fums are treated as countable events, each with an associated weight representing its potential to affect recipient behavior.

Origin and scope: The word fums was coined in thought experiments exploring the limits of information diffusion. It is not an established scientific unit, and there is no consensus on its precise definition or measurement. In many renditions, fums have a time-dependent decay: they lose influence as they travel through hops or as time passes.

Properties: Fums are typically assumed to be quantized, directionally propagating along network edges, and subject to context-dependent amplification or attenuation. They may be positive (endorsement or reinforcement) or negative (dissuasion or counter-message). Multi-channel contexts may permit multiple fums to interact and interfere.

Applications and criticisms: In modelling exercises and fiction, fums help illustrate how small, discrete actions can scale into large-scale diffusion. Critics argue that the concept abstracts away many real-world variables and lacks empirical support. As a result, fums are generally regarded as a heuristic tool rather than a measured quantity.

See also: Information diffusion, viral marketing, agent-based modelling.