Mashtrues

Mashtrues are a fictional class of memory-augmentation artifacts described in speculative fiction, tabletop role-playing games, and certain online communities. A mashtrue is a palm-sized device designed to record, compress, and display sensory experiences as tangible tokens. The term derives from the idea of mashing together multiple streams of data to produce a compact representation of an experience.

Most mashtrues consist of a microprocessor, a nonvolatile memory module, a fusion engine, and a biometric interface to authorize access. Variants range from basic tokens that store a short memory snapshot to larger units capable of storing extended experiences or multiple perspectives. The tokens often feature tactile feedback, light indicators, and micro-engraved inscriptions.

In-fiction, mashtrues enable users to capture sensory impressions and share them with others by reactivating the stored data. A link between social consent and authenticity is a recurring plot element: ownership and the ability to extract the memory can be contested. They are used for personal reminiscence, journalism, or evidence in legal or ceremonial contexts within narratives.

Debates in stories focus on consent, memory manipulation, and the reliability of reconstructed experiences. Critics argue that mashtrues can blur distinctions between memory and evidence, while proponents view them as a humane way to preserve subjective experience.

Related concepts include memory token, memory crystal, and truth token. This article documents a fictional concept and is not about real-world devices.