Chapter 10: Datafication & Algorithms Flashcards
What is “surveillance capitalism” according to Zuboff?
A form of capitalism that exploits personal experience rather than natural resources, posing a threat to democracy.
What is a downside of pattern-finding algorithms?
They prioritize speed over sound argumentation and can obscure the broader population’s characteristics.
What are some benefits of pattern-finding algorithms?
They allow for early detection systems in areas like crowd control, health, and social unrest.
What do we expect algorithms to do with Big Data?
Track activities, monitor health, and recommend friends/relationships by understanding preferences and making trade-offs.
Why are algorithms often considered “crude instruments”?
They provide recommendations based on abstracted groups (“calculated publics”) that lack real-world equivalents.
