Automating Inequality

Okay, I thought this was an interesting book, but I'm really curious (and kind of disturbed) about why my very banal status updates regarding this book - and only this book - have been getting a ton of “likes” by people I don't know. Why have so many strangers liked that I added this to my “Want to Read” list, or that I added it to my “Currently Reading” list, or that I listed it as “Read” but did not rate it or give it a review? (And still, over a month after I finished the book?) WHY ARE SO MANY BOTS INTERESTED IN MY READING OF A BOOK ABOUT THE DYSTOPIAN INTENTIONS AND IMPACTS OF AUTOMATED SOCIAL SERVICES? Has anyone else noticed this? It's really creeping me out...

A terrifying view into a dystopian future that we're blindly walking into.

Brief but important book that examines how automation is becoming a major part of the human service delivery system, or, in many cases the denial of service delivery. Technology is supposed to be objective but the people programming it have their own beliefs and agendas, so the end result is often more discrimination instead of less. The author cites three diverse examples - Medicaid services in Indiana, homeless services in Los Angeles and child protective services in Pennsylvania - and discusses the common themes and dangers that lurk in these alleged efforts to modernize, economize and standardize. It's doubtful that anything can be done to stop the advent of more of these systems but at least we can't say we weren't warned.