Tentacular Thinking: Anthropocene, Capitalocene, Chthulucene

Chapter 2 expands the argument that bounded individualism in its many flavors in science, politics, and philosophy has finally become unavailable to think with, truly no longer thinkable, technically or any other way. Sympoiesis—making-with—is a keyword throughout the chapter, which explores the gifts for needed work offered by scientists, critical theorists, and storytellers. Partners from science studies, anthropology, and storytelling are companions for tentacular thinking. With their help, the three timescapes of the book come into focus: the Anthropocene, the Capitalocene, and the Chthulucene. Spiders, ravens, cuttlefish, corals, and many other critters are both actual beings and material semiotic figures for tentacular thinking. Allied with the Pacific day octopus, Medusa, the only mortal Gorgon, figured as the Mistress of the Animals, saves the day and ends the chapter.