sumim

sumim is a fictional term used in speculative fiction to denote a portable device or implant capable of recording, storing, and reproducing human experiences. Across works, sumim functions as a personal memory repository, linking to a user’s neural or perceptual systems to capture sensory data, thoughts, and emotions in a compressed, retrievable form. Its representation varies, but it commonly serves as a plot device to explore themes of memory ownership, privacy, and identity.

In-world technology and design: sumims are depicted in two broad forms: external, wearable devices that attach to the skull or temple, and implantable units that reside beneath the skull. They encode experiential data using fictitious memory encoding schemes and store it on portable media or in a centralized archive. Capacity ranges from short-term clips to prolonged life-spanning libraries. Security measures often include biometric unlocks, encryption, and time-limited access. Some depictions emphasize seamless playback through direct neural interfaces, while others show fragmented recall with gaps or distortions.

Cultural and ethical implications: sumims prompt debates about consent, privacy in memory sharing, and the ethics of memory commodification. In many narratives, access to another person’s sumim data carries political, legal, or social consequences. Legal frameworks within fictional worlds may regulate ownership, transfer, and deletion rights.

See also: memory, mind uploading, data privacy, neurotechnology.