What could go wrong? The discriminatory effects of tech

Old prejudices are often coded into new technologies, even those technologies that claim to enhance diversity and fairness. We break down the metaphors of the New Jim Code (from Ruha Benjamin) and the Digital Poorhouse (from Virginia Eubanks) to show how modern technological "fixes" discriminate against Black people and poor people, respectively. Even the best-intentioned algorithms can have disastrous consequences (not unlike Abi's cooking). We suggest some ways that designers and communicators can better account for race and poverty in their designs. In addition, we reveal the fourth rhetorical appeal from Aristotle's lost works.

For transcripts and sources, see https://faculty.mnsu.edu/tctalk/