A few days ago, the internet exploded over Nubbin, a sleek new brain chip that promised to let users relive dreams and edit their memories. You could press a button on your temple and instantly enter a different world. Sounds like a gadget from Black Mirror, right?
Why Is Everyone Talking About Nubbin?
The buzz started when eerie, ultra-futuristic ads began circulating on TikTok and LinkedIn. They showed people with glassy eyes and distant smiles, pressing a button on their heads and seemingly disappearing into another dimension. The product? The Nubbin, a brain chip developed by a company called TCKR Systems. It claimed to offer “memory curation” and “endless virtual experiences.” Naturally, people freaked out—intrigued, scared, and convinced it was real.
@such.polina @TCKRSystems I can’t believe that you’ve actually made this! Thankfully I captured my first time trying #NUBBIN on camera so here’s my genuine reaction to trying it for the first time and it’s actually crazy! The future is definitely here 🤯 #nubbin #tckrsystems #technology #tech #vr #blackmirror #netflix #blackmirrorseason7 #whattowatch #filmtok @Netflix @Netflix UK & Ireland ♬ Suspense, horror, piano and music box – takaya
Is Nubbin Even Real?
Turns out, the Nubbin chip is not real—at least not yet. It’s a fictional device featured in Black Mirror Season 7. Specifically, it plays a major role in episodes like Eulogy, Hotel Reverie, and USS Callister: Into Infinity. In the show, it allows users to star in classic movies, travel through galaxies, and revisit their most precious (or painful) memories.
But the real-world campaign promoting it? That was chef’s kiss PR. Netflix launched a full fake brand strategy—complete with websites, social media pages, and staged product teasers—to make fans believe the Nubbin was an actual, incoming tech release. And it worked. We all fell for it. Hard.
Well… We’re Closer Than You Think
While the Nubbin is pure fiction, brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are very real. Elon Musk’s company Neuralink has already implanted its N1 chip in human patients. These people can move cursors and play video games using only their thoughts. The tech is still experimental, but it’s progressing fast.
Other companies are developing implants to improve memory, assist with disorders like epilepsy, and even boost brain power. So no, we’re not quite at “replay your favorite vacation” level yet—but science fiction might not stay fiction for long.
The Nubbin may have been a hoax, but the reaction to it shows just how ready—or terrified—we are for this kind of tech. If a fake brain chip can go this viral, imagine what will happen when the real ones hit the market. Black Mirror didn’t just market a show… it held up a mirror. And it looks a lot like us.