In the science fiction novel "Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom" by Cory Doctorow, the term "Whuffie" refers to an individual's reputation or social standing in the futuristic version of Walt Disney World called the Magic Kingdom. Whuffie is a form of currency used in the Magic Kingdom's gift economy and is determined by a person's goodwill and contributions to the community. It is tracked using technology such as implantable devices that allow brain-to-brain communication and is constantly changing based on a person's actions and interactions. Whuffie determines an individual's access to resources and opportunities, as well as their ability to participate in decision-making processes and is used to evaluate job candidates and "vote" on issues. The concept of Whuffie raises questions about the role of reputation and social standing in a society where traditional forms of currency are not as significant. The gift economy depicted in the novel is meant to encourage collaboration and create a sense of shared purpose, but it can also create a hierarchy with those who have high levels of Whuffie enjoying more privileges.

In the novel, Whuffie is an integral part of the social structure of the Magic Kingdom and is used in place of traditional forms of currency. It is earned and lost through interactions with others in the community, with positive actions resulting in an increase in Whuffie and negative actions leading to a decrease. One potential advantage of using Whuffie is that it incentivizes people to contribute to the common good and engage in cooperative behaviors, as those actions are likely to increase an individual's Whuffie. However, the use of Whuffie can also create a hierarchy within the community, with those who have high levels of Whuffie enjoying more privileges and access to resources. This could potentially lead to resentment or tension among those with lower levels of Whuffie.

In addition to its role in determining an individual's access to resources and opportunities, the concept of Whuffie in "Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom" also highlights the idea of a gift economy, in which people contribute their skills, knowledge, and resources to the community and receive access to the skills, knowledge, and resources of others in return. This economy is based on the principle that people are more likely to contribute to the common good when they feel that their contributions are valued and appreciated. The use of Whuffie as a form of social currency helps to measure the value of a person's contributions and reflects their reputation and standing within the community.

While the gift economy depicted in the novel has the potential to foster collaboration and a sense of shared purpose, it also has the potential to create a hierarchy within the community, with those who have high levels of Whuffie enjoying more privileges and access to resources. This could lead to resentment or tension among those with lower levels of Whuffie.

Overall, the concept of Whuffie in "Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom" offers a unique exploration of the role of reputation and social standing in a society and the potential consequences of using such a system. It raises questions about how social standing is determined and how it can be used to wield power and influence within a community.