pomcky

Pomcky is a fictional concept described in modern speculative fiction as a portable, intangible resource that serves as a form of social currency within certain in-universe communities. It is not a legal tender or material commodity, but rather a measure of an individual’s or group’s reputation, contributions, and trustworthiness.

The term pomcky originates in constructed languages used across various works of speculative fiction. Its phonology often shows influences from Slavic and Germanic language traditions, and it is typically rendered as pomcky in English-language texts. The concept is sometimes treated as universal within a fictional setting, while other authors imagine regional or cultural variants.

Mechanically, pomcky is earned through collaborative tasks, transparent governance, peer review, and the completion of communal goals. It can be allocated, transferred, borrowed, or donated, and is stored in a digital ledger or physical token depending on the work. Transfers are governed by community rules, with some groups restricting hoarding or speculative accumulation and others allowing flexible pooling for shared projects. Decay or expiration mechanisms may also be used to encourage ongoing participation.

In fiction, pomcky influences access to services, education, housing, and leadership opportunities, with higher pomcky offering greater influence within the community. The system is frequently employed to explore themes such as social trust, governance, inequality, and the ethics of reputation-based economies.

Variants of the concept include low-pomcky and high-pomcky tiers, regional standards, and temporal pomcky that diminishes over time. Critics within fictional worlds may argue that pomcky systems risk reinforcing power imbalances or becoming susceptible to manipulation. See also: social capital, reputation economy, soft currency.