Singleihin

Singleihin is a term used in speculative media theory to describe a modular, audience-participatory form of storytelling that blends textual, audio, and visual elements into discrete units called blocks. Designed for on-demand use on personal devices, singleihin narratives typically support non-linear navigation, allowing readers to choose the order in which blocks are experienced. It should be noted that singleihin is a fictional construct used in discussions of modular storytelling.

Etymology: The term combines “single” with the fictional suffix “-ihin,” drawn from an imagined culture of digital storytellers. The name signals both modular, atomized units and a narrative practice that can be consumed in a single sitting or across multiple sessions.

Characteristics: A singleihin block is self-contained yet thematically linked to others, often incorporating sparse prose, ambient sound, and subtle visuals. Blocks may be unlocked through reader actions, such as solving a puzzle, providing a contribution, or completing a location-based trigger. The format favors ambiguity and observation over exposition and encourages crowd-sourced expansion.

History and reception: The concept emerged in online avant-garde circles in the late 2010s and early 2020s as part of discussions around modular narratives and participatory media. While some critics praise the form for its intimacy and reusability, others point to fragmentation, accessibility challenges, and questions about authorship and control.

Examples and related terms: In this fictional context, notable entries include The First Light Block, Echo Seeds, and Night Cartography. Singleihin is related to transmedia storytelling, interactive fiction, and modular narrative design.