Data: Made Not Found (by danah)

Assorted research thoughts on sociotechnical topics ranging from the census to algorithmic accountability, all with an eye to how data and society intersect with structural inequity

The hottest Substack posts of Data: Made Not Found (by danah)

And their main takeaways

What Game Are We Playing?

127 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Analysis Government Policy Public Opinion Social movements Current Events
  1. The article discusses different ways to understand the current political climate in the U.S. using concepts like 'Jenga Politics' and 'Arson'.
  2. It examines Facebook's new policies, suggesting they are more about control than free speech.
  3. The author encourages readers to explore these ideas and to join her on a different platform for more content.

I'm joining the Cornell faculty!

59 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
🚌 Education Higher education Teaching Research
  1. The speaker is excited to join the faculty at Cornell as a Professor of Communication starting in fall 2025. They are looking forward to teaching and working with students.
  2. After many years at Microsoft Research, the speaker felt a strong desire to become a full-time professor. They believe teaching can make a bigger difference than just research.
  3. The transition from Microsoft Research is bittersweet, but the speaker is grateful for the support they've received. They aim to maintain connections with their colleagues even after leaving.

Deskilling on the Job

145 implied HN points • 21 Apr 23
🕹 Technology AI Automation Workforce Training Skills
  1. AI can lead to deskilling on the job, affecting pilots, surgeons, and other professions.
  2. Training has shifted from on-the-job to expecting skills at hiring, creating gaps in talent and opportunity.
  3. Efficiency with technology should balance quality and quantity, avoiding deskilling highly skilled professionals.

Resisting Deterministic Thinking

145 implied HN points • 10 Apr 23
🕹 Technology AI Future Innovation Tech Ethics Decision-making
  1. Deterministic thinking can lead to polarization and distrust in discussions about the future.
  2. Embracing probabilistic thinking is essential for understanding how technologies shape different possible futures.
  3. Projectories can be both beneficial and detrimental, highlighting the need for more nuanced and reflexive thinking about the impacts of technology.
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Too Big to Challenge?

102 implied HN points • 26 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Tech industry AI Stock Market Economy
  1. Five Big Tech companies account for 25% of the S&P 500, which impacts the overall economy
  2. Tech industry's high status employee compensation is tied to the stock market, leading to talent wars and perverse incentives
  3. Collective over-hiring in tech and fear of layoffs may be affecting worker motivation and company dynamics

Everyday examples of mundane low-stakes data modeling fails

51 implied HN points • 13 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Data Modeling Supply Chains Customer Service Delivery Services
  1. Focusing on low-stakes data modeling failures is important to understand how algorithms are shaping minor aspects of our lives.
  2. Supply chains and service-based businesses are facing challenges from flawed data modeling, affecting customers, workers, and businesses.
  3. Everyday interactions like car rentals and food delivery are revealing flaws in data modeling, leading to frustration and distrust in brands.

Microsoft Research Opportunities (with more coming)

8 implied HN points • 20 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Research
  1. Microsoft Research has openings for Pre-Doc/Research Assistant and Post-Doc positions
  2. Opportunities are available for those seeking a PhD or who have recently obtained a PhD
  3. Internship and funding opportunities for PhD students and researchers are forthcoming