If I was to give a definition of algorithmic criticism, I would direct someone to Cathy O’Neill’s to hear what she has to say about it. But, if I had to put it into my own words, I’d say it’s looking for the unbiased truth in algorithms. O’Neill’s TED talk was all about how algorithms are biased and how we can make our own algorithms with our own success. Scholars, such as O’Neill, have advised us (non-data scientists) to “demand accountability” from those data scientists who control the algorithms in our society. Those data scientists are the ones who set up the basic algorithms of the world, the algorithms that us, non-data scientists, have heard of, but they tend to turn out biased. The best thing to do is to try and avoid the biased algorithms and media that is presented to us.
Feminism impacted the 1930s by bringing to light the topic of equal treatment for women within the job force. More women had jobs during the ’30s, but the treatment they received was very different compared to the treatment men received. Another key thing to note that impacted the ’30s was the 19th Amendment passing and how some feminists believed their job was over. Women were elected to the Senate and FDR had women on his administration.1
In my opinion, I would say there are a few connections to draw between WPA-era activists and those today. Slavery/discrimination was an issue back during WPA and it’s still an issue today. I think today it’s much more prominent and the issues go deeper than those back then. People have more of an eye on biased situations compared to back then. Digital activists can spot bias quicker than WPA-era activists, especially in Noble’s article, Algorithms of Oppression. 2 The fact that digital activists were able to spot discrimination online through search engines blew my mind. It was something I would’ve never thought would show any kind of bias or discrimination, but I was wrong.
I believe techno-critics and algorithmic critics are applying the same ideas. They both are identifying bias’ and attacking them. They’re trying to encourage people to notice them as well and find ways to stop them. It’s a really interesting movement they’ve started by pointing out bias on search engines and other forms of technology, it really shows how much more we really need to progress to finally meet equality.
Moran, Mickey. 1930s, America – Feminist Void? Accessed October 20, 2019. http://people.loyno.edu/~history/journal/1988-9/moran.htm.
Noble, Safiya Umoja. Algorithms of Oppression: How Search Engines Reinforce Racism. New York: New York University Press., 2018.
- “President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, praised for seeking the advice of women in his administration, named Frances Perkins as the first woman cabinet member” Mickey Moran, 1930s – America – Feminist Void? The status of the Equal Rights Movement during the Great Depression. 1989 ”
- In this article, the study done that showed pornographic images show up when you search “Black Women” was a very upsetting thing to see, but also a very important finding.
