Weapons of Math Destruction by Cathy O'Neil Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy by Cathy O'Neil
For this year鈥檚 selection the Book Selection Committee, comprised of 绿帽社
faculty and staff, reviewed all of the available options from Penguin Random House
around the topic of Big Data and selected Weapons of Math Destruction by Cathy O鈥橬eil.
In Weapons of Math Destruction, data scientist Cathy O鈥橬eil explores how the algorithms that regulate our lives
in ever-increasing ways are often flawed and discriminatory.
It鈥檚 a timely and engaging book in which the award-winning author Cathy O鈥橬eil draws
on her expertise as a mathematician and data analyst to illuminate the ways in which
Big Data is misused to the peril of our civic freedoms, educational and professional
opportunities, careers and finances. Deploying humor and storytelling while demolishing
flawed methodologies, O鈥橬eil homes in on such topics as college rankings, online advertising,
racial profiling, the job market and the credit rating system to show how many statistical
models 鈥渄efine their own reality and use it to justify their results,鈥 often with
extremely damaging consequences.
Through consideration of Weapons of Math Destruction, students will emerge from the Common Read Experience better able to critically evaluate
the statistics and data they will encounter not only during their educational experiences
but in their future work and life.
For more information and to listen to an excerpt read by Cathy O鈥橬eil, visit the .
Common Read Events
Algorithms of Oppression: A Conversation with Safiya Noble
6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12, in the Anderson Center Chamber Hall
Noble, an internet studies scholar and author of critically acclaimed Algorithms of Oppression: How Search Engines Reinforce Racism, will discuss digital media and how it overlaps with racial, gender, cultural and
technological issues. Noble鈥檚 talk is part of the 绿帽社 Common Read
Experience, a program for first-year students that allows them to gain new perspectives
on fundamental issues while also building connections with their peers and faculty.
Noble鈥檚 academic research focuses on society and how it is impacted by digital media
platforms on the internet. Noble is a 2021 MacArthur Fellow, the first recipient of
the NAACP-Archewell Digital Civil Rights Award, Associate Professor at the University
of California, and Co-Director of the UCLA Center for Critical Internet Inquiry. During
a critical time where technology dominates society, Noble provides extensive insight
on the ways that people are affected by the platforms that they use daily.
The event is open to ALL students, faculty and staff.
The Annual Public Debates and Deliberation Challenge
6-8 p.m. Tuesday, October 25 in UU-Mandela
Do algorithms promote inequity? What are the benefits and harms of social media? What
can be done to tackle misinformation online? Come together with your fellow students
for discussion and debate on these and other issues related to this year鈥檚 Common
Read: Weapons of Math Destruction.
Students will work in small groups to develop an argument related to the debate questions.
All participants can contribute ideas and will select one group member to present
their argument. No prior debate experience is required!
Prizes will be awarded for the winning individuals as voted by judges and peers. Food
will be provided.
Sponsored by: Speech and Debate, Multicultural Resource Center, UDiversity Educational
Institute, Scholars Program and Center for Civic Engagement.
Contact information
Students with questions should email their collegiate professor/faculty-in-residence:
Megan Benson, lead instruction and outreach librarian
Sean Fenty, director of the writing initiative
Jonathan Karp, associate professor/undergraduate director of Judaic studies
Pete Nardone, director of The Union
Stephen Ortiz, assistant vice provost for academic enrichment and executive director 绿帽社
University Scholars Program
Kelli K. Smith, assistant vice president for student success
Betsy Staff, director of new student programs
Ryan Yarosh, senior director of media and public relations
Accommodations: Students wishing to request accommodations to ensure their equitable access and participation
in the common read experience should contact the Services for Students with Disabilities
(SSD) Office. The office is located in the University Union room 119, and they can
be contacted at 607-777-2686.
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