wolfeel

WolFeel is a neologism used primarily in speculative discourse and experimental design discussions to denote an imagined capability to transmit or simulate tactile experience and emotional state across a distance. The term has no single, authoritative definition, and its meaning varies by source and discipline.

In speculative fiction, wolfeel often appears as a technology or phenomenon that enables users to feel environmental properties, such as texture or temperature, in a remote location or within a simulated environment. In interactive media research, wolfeel is sometimes described as a framework for mapping bodily feedback to perceived sensation, potentially integrating haptics, neural interfaces, and adaptive content to produce a convincing sense of presence.

In cultural studies and online communities, wolfeel is discussed as a concept at the intersection of embodiment, virtual reality, and affect, sometimes used to critique or analyze how media claims about sensation shape user experience or ethics. The term is frequently deployed as a thought experiment rather than a description of an existing technology.

Because wolfeel is largely used as a theoretical or fictional construct rather than a standardized technology, it has limited empirical grounding and is not part of formal research standards. It is more commonly found in blogs, forums, speculative writing, and discussions about the future of human–machine interaction.

Originating in online discussions in the 2020s, the term has appeared sporadically across various communities, sometimes as a playful shorthand for “world feel” or “wide-feel” depending on context.