The book Weapons of Math Destruction by Cathy O’Neil has extremely impacted me in both ways, good and bad way. While we discussed in class many of the chapters in this book it was shocking to know that I wasn’t the only one who felt misinformed and had lack of understanding on what technology can really do to people. In some type of form or shape I felt used. Yes, I said used. Many of you may be reading this and asking yourself how can technology be dangerous, it can’t be possible. Well here is an example, have any of you ever went online shopping and searched online things you need for your house, clothes, or make up. Did you find anything? We’ll let me tell you technology will play its part and next thing you know you log on Instagram and there you see an advertisements of clothes. It can be very helpful finding things you need without having to search anything but wait it gets even better. Let’s take a moment to ask our selves, how were they able to get my information? Doesn’t it feel like someone has been stocking you? Thats part of technology. Although internet plays a huge part of our life’s, it also has its pros and cons and if not informed and understood it can also be dangerous. I personally feel more aware of what technology is capable of doing when not used properly. This book has allowed me to gain cautions when doing things such as posting on my Instagram. Another thing I learned is that certain technologies such as social media an application can change the perspective of people in their everyday life’s. They can change and impact people’s decisions and thoughts.
The suggestions O’Neil makes for us about what we can do is that to fix the issues and our problems we need to come together and work together to resolve the problem. Working together and raising our voice will be the only way we can create awareness and come up with a change. O’Neil give a huge light on working together, the author also mentions coming together and policing WMD’s (218). O’Neil also says, “Let’s start building a framework now to hold algorithms countable for the long-term” (231). Helping one another and gaining a voice will allow the problem to be resolve.
Have any of you read Weapons of Math Destruction By Cathy O’Neil? What did you think of the book, how did it impact you? Thank you, talk to you guys later…. XO E.M
PEACE IN LIFE 