devovere

Devovere is a term used in speculative fiction and worldbuilding to denote the act of recombining distinct memory traces into a single, continuous personal narrative. In many portrayals, devovere can be achieved through advanced neurotechnology or through ritual practice within memory-focused cultures. The concept is commonly employed as a thought experiment about personal identity, continuity of self, and the ethics of memory manipulation.

Origin and usage: Devovere is a neologism that arose in English-language online communities and collaborative fiction projects during the 2010s. It has no single canonical definition, and its meaning varies across works, often ranging from a technical procedure to a symbolic rite.

In-world practice: Descriptions of devovere differ, but common elements include selecting memories, fragmenting experiences into discrete units, and reassembling them into an integrated narrative spine. Consequences are debated within fiction: proponents argue for greater coherence and resilience of self, while critics warn of potential loss of original temporality, agency, or the sense of becoming different versions of oneself.

Reception and analysis: Devovere is discussed as a device for exploring identity, memory ethics, consent, and the boundary between self and story. Critics note parallels to theories of memory consolidation, narrative therapy, and digital immortality, while emphasizing its speculative nature and lack of real-world empirical basis.