Imendumises

Imendumises is a term in speculative information theory describing diffusion where an original signal accrues new contextual layers as it spreads. Subsequent actors insert interpretive frames, metadata, captions, or edits, producing related variants that diverge from the source but remain recognizably connected. The concept emphasizes the layered, cumulative nature of diffusion.

Mechanisms: Imendumises arise from remix culture and algorithmic amplification. As content passes between people, contributors add frames or paratextual material, while recommender systems favor altered versions, boosting their visibility and prompting further edits. The result is branching diffusion with time-lagged maturation, where later variants may reflect current concerns rather than the original intent. Distinguishing benign edits from manipulative insertions can be challenging.

Applications and examples: In online meme culture, imendumises appear when a meme gains new captions and contexts across platforms, becoming a multi-layered commentary. In scholarly communication, notes and annotations can be embedded in articles through post-publication discourse, sometimes shaping interpretation even when the original text remains unchanged. The concept also appears in branding and political messaging studies.

Assessment: Imendumises remains debated with limited formal definition or measurement. Proponents argue it reveals asymmetries between creator intent and propagated content; critics warn against overgeneralization. Ongoing work aims to operationalize the phenomenon and identify metrics for variant diversity and fidelity to the source.