Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy

Weapons of Math Destruction

How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy

2016 • 274 pages

Ratings99

Average rating3.8

15
  • Am I glad I read it? Yes.
    - Did it have enough math in it? No.
    - Would I have been interested if it had more math in it? Probably not.
    - Did the Weapons of Math Destruction feature much in this book? Not really. (I think she just liked the title, created a definition based off the title, and tried to worm it in where she could.)
    - How about Big Data? Oh yes. Much more about algorithms and lack of justice in data input/proxies, and this was good.
    - Do I wish for an updated version, since this one came out in ‘16? OBVIOUSLY. I can only imagine the systems have gotten worse.
    - Is it well-reasoned? Mostly.
    - Is it likely that people are going to just start being better/creating better data inputs with no incentive to do so when it's $$$ vs. human goodness? HA.
    - Did Matt (a professor) know what I was talking about when I was telling him about the algorithmic U.S. News College Rankings? Yes, and he was like this system is the WORST.
    - Would I give him this book to read? Likely not. Like I said, not enough math. (This is a catch-22! It needed more, but based on the type of book, more would have likely turned off readers! Including me!)
    - Was it interesting? Quite.
May 5, 2024