Bias in Tech & Gendering in Tech Discussion
Can you help me understand this Social Science question?
Guidelines
Students should respond to the following questions, using their own words and writing in complete sentences. Each question should warrant at least a two sentence response. This week’s discussion board covers March 12 and March 17 classes.
!!!READING YOU NEED TO COMPLETE:
1.Cecco, “Toronto van attack suspect says he was ‘radicalized’ online by ‘incels'”https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/27/alek-minassian-toronto-van-attack-interview-incels
2.Robertson, “Should We Treat Incels as Terrorists?”
March 12
- What did you learn from the Cecco and Robinson articles about incels?
- How does incel culture relate to bias in technology?
- Do you think social media culture operates differently for men and women? Why or why not?
- Are incels terrorists? Why or why not?
!!!READING YOU NEED TO COMPLETE:
1.Hsu, “These Influencers Aren’t Flesh and Blood, Yet Millions Follow Them”
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/17/business/media/miquela-virtual-influencer.html
2.Romano, “A group of YouTubers is trying to prove the site systematically demonetizes queer content”
3.Harwell, “Dating apps need women. Advertisers need diversity. AI companies offer a solution: Fake people”
March 17
- What are three things that the articles for 3/17 have in common?
- Explore http://www.whichfaceisreal.com, testing at least five faces. How accurate were you? How does your experience with the website inform your understanding of the Harwell article?
- What connections do you see between the developments describes in Harwell’s article and other themes we have explored in class?
- Why was queer content being demonetized on YouTube, according to the Romano reading?
- Are virtual influencers a beneficial or detrimental development? Why or why not?
- Is there a way for advertisers to use virtual face and persona-generating technologies responsibly? How might that be?
