The 21st-century fusion, analyzing how all other forms of control are amplified and integrated in the digital ecosystem. It’s the use of data surveillance, algorithmic curation, networked communication, and platform governance to predict, influence, and manage behavior at a societal scale, often in real-time and with terrifying personalization.
Theory of Digital Social Control *Example: A fitness tracker and its app. It's not just a tool. It collects intimate biological data, gamifies health through rewards/badges (behavioral nudging), connects to social media for peer comparison (norm enforcement), and may share data with insurers (economic consequences). This is integrated digital control—blending surveillance, social pressure, and economic incentives into one seamless, persuasive system.
by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal February 7, 2026
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