Uhhh, okay. I guess I can parrot some stuff from the last lecture. I did miss the lecture on Technopriests today, which I'm kinda bummed about. But last week we talked about the "Social Net" and algorithmic accumulation of data. Basically how by engaging with social media, or, really, most of the internet, your data is tracked and sold to advertising agencies to target specific ads towards you (I think a decent amount of people are aware of this already). But it goes further than that. Employers may require credit scores to assess how "responsible" a potential employee might be. Credit scores may be required for applying for a mortgage or for a loan to start a business. Crime rate statistics may be applied to determine what areas require more policing than others. But statistics, or other forms of data don't take into account histories. Maybe a potential employee's (or homeowner or business owner) credit's terrible due to unforeseen medical expenses, past predatory lending histories, or any other number of reasons. Maybe the crime rate in a particular area is up because of the heavier policing, which may be resultant of racist zoning practices or other reasons.

Anyway, I'll stop there. But be way of statistics used to prove points to push agendas. Because statistics have histories, and reasons, which may not be as true as they seem. Because statistics/facts are hard to argue with, and they're great at "proving" points, but they don't take into account the "why" of how things are. Because there are histories and biases to any statistic or "fact" or data that goes into an algorithm, and people are incarcerated, or can't find a home, or die because of them.

Anyway, if you want to read more of this, the instructor for my class exclusively publishes online, so you might find his blog of interest.