Postreveal

Postreveal is a term used to describe the period or state after a reveal has occurred, in which information that was previously concealed becomes known. The term is not tied to a single discipline and can vary in meaning depending on context. Its core idea is the transition from a pre-reveal state, often characterized by information asymmetry or uncertainty, to a postreveal state where information is public or partially known, prompting adjustments in behavior, interpretation, or policy.

In entertainment and narrative design, postreveal refers to the phase after a plot twist, secret identity, or key revelation is disclosed. This phase influences audience reception, subsequent storytelling choices, and theories about character motives or future events.

In game theory, economics, and information studies, postreveal describes the period after private information is disclosed. Models and analyses focus on how beliefs, strategies, and equilibria adjust in light of the new information, and how earlier incentives or contracts are renegotiated.

In privacy, security, and governance contexts, postreveal may denote actions following a public disclosure or data breach. It encompasses incident response, communication with stakeholders, remediation efforts, and efforts to mitigate reputational or operational damage.

Because postreveal is an informal, cross-disciplinary concept rather than a standardized term, its precise meaning can vary by field. It is commonly used with qualifiers like postreveal dynamics or postreveal effects to analyze the consequences and adaptations that follow a disclosure.

See also: disclosure, information asymmetry, plot twist, postmortem.