Hyperrealtime
| Hyperrealtime | |
|---|---|
| Coined by | Charlotte Fang |
| Related concepts | The New Internet, Remilia Chat, Network Spirituality |
| Field | Real-time communication protocols |
Hyperrealtime (HRT) (also known as "supersynchronous communication" and "realtime-text") is a communication protocol advocated by Charlotte Fang that displays text character-by-character as it is typed, rather than waiting for completed messages. This approach creates a more immediate and intimate sense of presence in digital conversations, closer to in-person interaction than traditional messaging systems.[1]
While character-by-character text transmission existed in earliest digital communication applications like Unix Talk before being abandoned for technical reasons, hyperrealtime represents a deliberate philosophical return to this approach. Fang's advocacy reframes what was once considered a technical limitation as a superior form of digital intimacy and presence. First implemented experimentally in the Meguca imageboard (2014-2016) and later refined in subsequent proof-of-concepts, hyperrealtime represents a key component of The New Internet's vision for more authentic digital communication. The protocol was prominently showcased in the Remilia Chat proof-of-concept shown at the "I Long for Network Spirituality" exhibition in 2021.[2]
Development
Historical precedents
The concept of character-by-character text transmission has historical precedent in early computer communication systems:
- Unix Talk (1970s-1980s): One of the earliest real-time digital communication systems in computing history. The Unix talk program and its successors (ytalk, ntalk, utalk) transmitted each character as it was typed, without waiting for completed messages. Early versions had technical challenges with text from different users becoming intermingled, which later versions solved by splitting the screen into separate zones for each participant. Later messaging systems universally moved away from this character-by-character approach in favor of complete message delivery.[3]
- Teletype (TTY) devices: Dating back to the early 20th century, these devices for deaf and hard-of-hearing users transmitted text in a real-time fashion, though with technical limitations compared to modern implementations.[4]
With the development of internet protocols and increased bandwidth availability, digital communication platforms universally shifted away from character-by-character transmission in favor of complete message delivery. This transition prioritized network efficiency and server load management over the immediacy of real-time interaction, fundamentally changing the nature of online conversation.
Early implementation (2014-2016)
The first version of hyperrealtime in the Remilia ecosystem appeared in the open-source Meguca imageboard, where Fang collaborated with its lead developer while running its primary community, Megu/pol/. The earliest implementation displayed text two words at a time as they were completed. Fang encouraged a rewrite to display text character-by-character in real time as it was typed, achieving the true hyperrealtime experience. This implementation demonstrated both the technical feasibility and the qualitative difference in communication experience that the protocol could provide.[5]
Meguca development was abandoned in 2016, but Fang wrote about the potential for hyperrealtime in essays on Zyg.re from 2016-2018, including a notable paper documenting its history and implementations and advocating for its adoption in 2018.
Refinement and evolution (2019-2020)
After a period of dormancy, Fang revived development by forking Meguca as chen2 in 2019. The board ran until 2020, intended as a showcase of hyperrealtime's potential.[6]
Remilia Chat implementation (2021)
In 2021, Fang debuted a more sophisticated implementation as part of the Remilia Chat proof-of-concept at the "I Long for Network Spirituality" exhibition. This version featured a single server group chat with fully realized character-by-character hyperrealtime functionality. The proof-of-concept was later extended into a multichat implementation that preserved the hyperrealtime feature, known as Somachat.[7]
Miladychan (2024)
Development on chen2 was revived again by Remilia in 2024, debuting under the new name Miladychan, alongside a Miladychan Whitepaper outlining the extended roadmap. Miladychan was also distributed in a "shoutbox" format, embeddable in other websites, most notably the CULT TGE launch site and as RemiliaNET's global chat.
Distinction from standard real-time text
While hyperrealtime shares core functionality with standardized Real-Time Text (RTT) protocols, it differs in several key aspects:
Technical implementation
Standard RTT as defined in telecommunications standards (like RFC 4103) and accessibility regulations primarily focuses on replacing TTY technology for deaf and hard-of-hearing users.[8] Hyperrealtime was developed independently as a philosophical and experiential approach to digital communication for the general public, emphasizing presence and immediacy beyond accessibility concerns.
Philosophical framework
Unlike standard RTT implementations, hyperrealtime is embedded in Remilia's broader conceptual framework of Network Spirituality and The New Internet. It represents not just a technical protocol but a philosophical stance on authentic network communication—a deliberate counterpoint to the asynchronous, edited nature of modern digital interaction.[9]
Community focus
Rather than being primarily integrated into telecommunications services, hyperrealtime has been implemented within community-oriented platforms like imageboards and chat applications specific to Remilia's ecosystem, emphasizing social and creative dimensions over regulatory compliance.
Theoretical significance
Hyperrealtime communication carries significant implications for digital sociality and presence:
- Digital presence: By displaying text as it's typed, hyperrealtime creates a stronger sense of the other person's immediate presence, reducing the psychological distance inherent in digital communication.
- Thought process visibility: The protocol reveals not just completed thoughts but the process of thinking itself—including hesitations, corrections, and the real-time formation of ideas.
- Conversational flow: Hyperrealtime enables more natural conversation rhythms, allowing participants to respond to thoughts as they emerge rather than waiting for completed messages.
- Vulnerability and authenticity: The visibility of typing in real time creates a kind of digital vulnerability that can foster greater authenticity in communication.
These qualities connect hyperrealtime to broader Network Spirituality principles by facilitating more genuine human connection through digital means, transcending some of the limitations of conventional computer-mediated communication.[10]
See also
References
- ↑ Charlotte Fang (October 26, 2024). "Tweet on post-authorship and network spirituality". X. Retrieved November 9, 2025.
- ↑ Charlotte Fang (April 12, 2022). "Network Spirituality, Collected Commentaries". [Essay]. Golden Light. Mirror. Retrieved November 9, 2025.
- ↑ July 27, 2025. "Talk (software)". Wikipedia. Retrieved November 9, 2025.
- ↑ "Real-Time Text: Improving Accessible Telecommunications". Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved November 9, 2025.
- ↑ May 3, 2025. "How to make a digital garden: a beginner's guide". Fran's Field Notes. Retrieved November 9, 2025.
- ↑ May 3, 2025. "How to make a digital garden: a beginner's guide". Fran's Field Notes. Retrieved November 9, 2025.
- ↑ February 28, 2024. "Digital Gardening - Tools for Networked Thought". Tijn Tjoelker's Newsletter. Retrieved November 9, 2025.
- ↑ "Real Time Text (RTT) overview - An Azure Communication Services article". Microsoft Learn. Retrieved November 9, 2025.
- ↑ Charlotte Fang (April 12, 2022). "Network Spirituality, Collected Commentaries". [Essay]. Golden Light. Mirror. Retrieved November 9, 2025.
- ↑ "What a Digital Garden Can Teach You About Life". Bookfusion Blog. Retrieved November 9, 2025.