Digital –Ism(s) and the Ideological Map of Algorithmic Culture

Digital technologies not only simplify our lives but also generate powerful ideological structures that reshape social relationships, modes of thinking, and value systems. In this sense, all components of the digital age—from social media algorithms to artificial intelligence, from data-driven decision-making mechanisms to platform capitalism—have ceased to be neutral tools and have instead become invisible yet influential carriers of particular worldviews.

Accordingly, the various isms that have historically been used to define ideologies are now evolving and diversifying. In the digital context, these ideologies are being transformed by the social, cultural, political, and economic effects of digitalization. As such, these concepts have moved beyond theoretical categories and have become potent ideological tools that influence everyday life, political choices, identity construction, and the nature of knowledge. However, many of these new ideological structures have yet to be thoroughly explained, classified, or analysed.

It is time to begin discussing new intellectual clusters that could be referred to as “digital-isms.” For instance, while determinism posits that the workings of the universe and the events within it are governed by scientific laws and must inevitably unfold accordingly, digital determinism asserts the inescapable impact of technology on society. Digital colonialism, which adapts the idea of a state’s domination over other nations or communities, refers to the exercise of control over IT components. Continuing with the examples, based on utopian thinking, digital utopianism suggests that scientific and technological advancements can lead to a utopia—or at least contribute to the realization of certain utopian ideals. Numerous other examples can be added.

New Book Project: Digital Ideologies in the Age of Algorithmic Culture
In this intellectual vein, I am pleased to announce the book project titled Digital Ideologies in the Age of Algorithmic Culture, which IGI Global will publish. The book aims to examine emerging ideologies in the digital age through an interdisciplinary lens. Open to academic, theoretical, and applied contributions, the project focuses on the following themes:

• Digital Colonialism, Digital Fascism, Digital Socialism: Power structures reshaped through digital platforms
• Digital Individualism, Digital Narcissism, Digital Sadism: Digital identity, selfhood, and forms of violence
• Digital Feminism, Digital Disability, Digital Racism: Identity politics and digital reflections of inequality
• Digital Activism and Hacktivism: Digital counter-practices and forms of resistance
• Digital Dogmatism, Digital Diderotism, Digital Extremism: Digital epistemology, knowledge, and reality
• Digital Aestheticism, Digital Modernism, Digital Utopianism: Art, culture, and digital utopias

Call for Contributions
Our book project welcomes academic contributions that explore each of the concepts mentioned above either theoretically or empirically. We are currently in the process of shaping the chapter titles and the conceptual framework. During this phase, we would be delighted to hear proposals from researchers working on digital-isms.

If you are interested in contributing content, proposing new concepts, or sharing alternative perspectives, please do not hesitate to contact me. For more details, please check https://www.igi-global.com/publish/call-for-papers/call-details/8870

The digital age is not merely a technological transformation—it is also an ideological revolution. I look forward to reflecting on, conceptualizing, and discussing this revolution together.

Esra G. Kaygısız
Editor – Digital Ideologies in the Age of Algorithmic Culture
esra.kaygisiz@giresun.edu.tr
IGI Global, 2025