Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy

Outrage. Readers interested in public policy, especially those who love quantitative analysis, are those most to enjoy reading Cathy O’Neil’s book titled, Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy. O’Neil presents many examples of ways in which algorithms are being used and often misused in many parts of society. Writing in a conversational style, she keeps her outrage at some practices on a steady simmer throughout the book. Her plea is that we need fairness and accountability in the application of mathematical models. She explores the use of models by schools, courts, credit providers, employers and others. If your mind is open to the possibility that aspects of “fact-based” analysis or the application of big data might be detrimental, be sure to read this book. Rating: Five-star (I love it) Click here to purchase Weapons of Math Destruction from amazon.com.