Entangled Ontologies in the Digital Anthropocene: Navigating Posthuman Citizenship, Algorithmic Governance, and Socio-Ecological Regime Shifts

Abstract

Introduction: The convergence of the Anthropocene—the geological epoch defined by human impact—and the rapid acceleration of digital technologies has created a complex "techno-social" environment. This paper explores the entangled relationship between algorithmic governance, posthuman identity, and ecological stability. Methods: Adopting a critical posthumanist framework, this study synthesizes recent literature (2022–2024) spanning digital sociology, environmental theory, and philosophy. We employ a diffractive analysis to map connections between online propaganda mechanisms, the ontology of the metaverse, and macro-social ecological regime shifts. Results: Our analysis reveals three critical fissures. First, algorithmic optimization (SEO) and platform architectures actively fragment social cohesion and construct polarized narratives, as evidenced in studies of pandemic discourse and policy mapping. Second, the "digital divide" is morphing into an ontological divide, where access to telemedicine and digital citizenship determines survival, particularly in the Global South. Third, the "immaterial" digital world is deeply tethered to material ecological costs, influencing carbon cycles and energy consumption. Discussion: We argue that traditional human-centric sociology is insufficient for the current crisis. Instead, we propose a framework of "Posthuman Citizenship" that recognizes the agency of non-human actors (algorithms, ecosystems). We conclude that navigating the digital Anthropocene requires "tempering the not-yet," a temporal ethic that prioritizes long-term ecological stability over short-term technological acceleration.