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No, Math Isn’t Racist
National Review ^ | September 8, 2016 | David French

Posted on 09/08/2016 11:54:37 AM PDT by reaganaut1

I know it’s early, but my favorite article of the month comes courtesy of CNN. It’s called “math is racist,” and blames inequality in part on big data:

In a new book, “Weapons of Math Destruction,” Cathy O’Neil details all the ways that math is essentially being used for evil (my word, not hers).

From targeted advertising and insurance to education and policing, O’Neil looks at how algorithms and big data are targeting the poor, reinforcing racism and amplifying inequality.

These “WMDs,” as she calls them, have three key features: They are opaque, scalable and unfair.

Denied a job because of a personality test? Too bad — the algorithm said you wouldn’t be a good fit. Charged a higher rate for a loan? Well, people in your zip code tend to be riskier borrowers. Received a harsher prison sentence? Here’s the thing: Your friends and family have criminal records too, so you’re likely to be a repeat offender. (Spoiler: The people on the receiving end of these messages don’t actually get an explanation.)

To understand the critique, you have to understand the social justice warrior’s definition of “fair.” A fair result is one that either breaks down precisely along demographic lines (for example, if 40 percent of a city’s population is black, then 40 percent of its cops should be black) or favors preferred identity groups. In other words, if a university program admits more women than men, it’s a testament to the grit and courage of women to overcome historic discrimination. If it admits more men than women, then it’s evidence that the patriarchy is alive and well.

(Excerpt) Read more at nationalreview.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: race
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1 posted on 09/08/2016 11:54:37 AM PDT by reaganaut1
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To: reaganaut1

Math is hard and it’s sexist ;-p


2 posted on 09/08/2016 11:56:40 AM PDT by HotKat (Politicians are like diapers; they need to be changed often and for the same reason. Mark Twain)
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To: reaganaut1

I always said that algebra hated me.


3 posted on 09/08/2016 11:56:55 AM PDT by LouieFisk
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To: reaganaut1

4 posted on 09/08/2016 11:58:53 AM PDT by ctdonath2 ("If anyone will not listen to your words, shake the dust from your feet and leave them." - Jesus)
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To: reaganaut1

FWIW.

The drug dealers and gang members on the urban streets of America have a better understanding of both math and economics than almost any academic tool for social justice.


5 posted on 09/08/2016 12:01:57 PM PDT by Zeneta
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To: reaganaut1

Logic and truth, also racist. The only non-racist choice we have is submission and obedience.


6 posted on 09/08/2016 12:05:09 PM PDT by rightwingcrazy ("We will not tolerate those who are intolerant to the intolerant.")
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To: reaganaut1

7 posted on 09/08/2016 12:05:17 PM PDT by Snickering Hound
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To: reaganaut1

Anything liberals don’t understand, or can’t do, is racist.


8 posted on 09/08/2016 12:05:56 PM PDT by Arm_Bears (Rope. Tree. Politician/Journalist. Some assembly required.)
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To: reaganaut1

Most of the homeys I know are pro business and they have a better grasp of math via ebonics. The bruthas’ are always looking for the quick buck aka hustle’ so their math skills are more than adequate s/
-—max the racist cracka


9 posted on 09/08/2016 12:06:12 PM PDT by max americana (fired every liberal in our company at every election cycle..and laughed at their faces (true story))
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To: reaganaut1

These penile vacuum bags are stupid.


10 posted on 09/08/2016 12:10:57 PM PDT by Lion Den Dan
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To: Zeneta

Math Problem: Tyrone bought an OZ of coke for $2000, and cuts it 50% with inositol, and sells it for $100 per gram, if Tyrone wants to buy two new Nines for $1000, how many lap dances can he buy at the strip club Friday at $50 per dance?

I guarantee Tyrone knows the answer to this question.


11 posted on 09/08/2016 12:11:17 PM PDT by henkster
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To: Snickering Hound

Count the logic errors.......


12 posted on 09/08/2016 12:12:29 PM PDT by fishtank (The denial of original sin is the root of liberalism.)
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To: henkster

It’s a trick question, Tyrone is transgender, right?


13 posted on 09/08/2016 12:14:40 PM PDT by PROCON ("Lock Her Up! Lock Her Up!")
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To: henkster

This problem can’t be solved without knowing how much the ounce of inositol costs. Presumably Tyrone knows that, too.


14 posted on 09/08/2016 12:16:39 PM PDT by Flash Bazbeaux
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To: reaganaut1
Math isn't racist. It's hard.


15 posted on 09/08/2016 12:17:16 PM PDT by BBell (calm down and eat your sandwiches)
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To: reaganaut1
You are forgetting Feminist Math. This was a campus craze in the 90s wherein "the correct answer was one that made a woman feel good about herself." How many female college math majors from them ever got a job? Oh, look! More sexism!
16 posted on 09/08/2016 12:18:28 PM PDT by pabianice (LINE)
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To: reaganaut1

The only way math could be racist is if we are admitting some races are less intelligent, on average, than the majority (whites).


17 posted on 09/08/2016 12:19:20 PM PDT by tbw2
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To: reaganaut1

Just dumb everything down so Shaneekwa and Tameel won’t feel bad?


18 posted on 09/08/2016 12:21:39 PM PDT by Bullish (That establishment heads from both sides are exploding over Trump is the very best part.)
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To: Arm_Bears

I thought that the definition of a racist was “Someone who is winning an argument with a liberal”.


19 posted on 09/08/2016 12:22:03 PM PDT by wbill
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To: rightwingcrazy

“Logic and truth, also racist. The only non-racist choice we have is submission and obedience.”

Thus spake The Great Iman of Tehran !
BOW DOWN !
Stay Silent oh ignorant infidels !
Pay the TAX !
OR DIE !


20 posted on 09/08/2016 12:22:15 PM PDT by litehaus (A memory toooo long)
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