postiené

Postiené is a term used in speculative sociology and cultural theory to denote a transitional social condition that follows major disruption, in which authority is distributed, collaboration is prioritized, and everyday life is organized around resilient, localized networks rather than centralized institutions.

Origin and usage: The coinage appears in online essays and alternate-fiction discourses in the early 2020s and is described as a neologism rather than a widely established concept. It is often associated with discussions of post-crisis urbanism, digital commons, and participatory governance.

Concept and characteristics: Postiené envisions governance through participatory platforms, mutual aid, and flexible identity; decision-making is consensus-based or rotating leadership; resources are shared through commons-like arrangements; technology serves as a facilitator rather than a controller; culture emphasizes adaptability, care, and inclusivity.

Evaluation and reception: Some scholars view postiené as a useful heuristic for imagining resilient futures, while others criticize it as vague or utopian and caution about issues of implementation, power dynamics, and co-optation by private actors. Empirical evidence supporting the term remains limited.

In fiction and thought experiments, postiené has been used to frame communities rebuilding after disasters or as a lens in speculative futures narratives. While not widely adopted in mainstream academia or policy discourse, it continues to appear in discussions about resilience, governance, and the role of digital networks in post-crisis society.