Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

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
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-40 last
To: rightwingcrazy

AND, we MUZZYS invented math too !!


21 posted on 09/08/2016 12:24:22 PM PDT by litehaus (A memory toooo long)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: HotKat

I had no idea that math was written in cursive.


22 posted on 09/08/2016 12:24:51 PM PDT by N. Theknow (Kennedys-Can't drive, can't ski, can't fly, can't skipper a boat-But they know what's best for you.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: reaganaut1

Science is racist too, as are the laws of physics. All human advances are racist.

A real SJW paradise would be people living in caves, eating each other.


23 posted on 09/08/2016 12:27:30 PM PDT by Gunpowder green
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: HotKat

Fee, fi, fo plus fi, fo, fee egals a, ni, seven.


24 posted on 09/08/2016 12:28:38 PM PDT by N. Theknow (Kennedys-Can't drive, can't ski, can't fly, can't skipper a boat-But they know what's best for you.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: reaganaut1

“If the data drives “bad” decisions, then take away the data.”

This gives a whole new meaning to bad data.... LOL


25 posted on 09/08/2016 12:28:40 PM PDT by Rockitz (This is NOT rocket science - Follow the money and you'll find the truth.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: HotKat

Math isn’t hard.

Arithmetic, that’s hard. Just because it’s so easy to make a computational error.

Hand-held calculators were teh greatest invention since fire.


26 posted on 09/08/2016 12:31:02 PM PDT by chesley (The right to protest is not the right to disrupt.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: reaganaut1

Mathematics, geometry, trigonometry and calculus are white racist fabrications designed for the sole purpose of making minorities feel stupid.

/S


27 posted on 09/08/2016 12:33:35 PM PDT by Iron Munro (If Illegals voted Rebublican 50 Million Democrats Would Be Screaming "Build The Wall!")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: reaganaut1
Math and physics are easy. Not to brag but, I got straight A's in both through HS and college. Algebra problems are like candy to me.

I only point this out because everyone has their gifts, or lack thereof. I'm good with certain technical things. Can't carry a tune in a bucket. Only fair at certain sports, downright terrible at others. What is unfair is trying to jam everyone into the same molds, or trying to change the molds so that everyone fits.

28 posted on 09/08/2016 12:36:18 PM PDT by ThunderSleeps (Stop obarma now! Stop the hussein - insane agenda!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: chesley

most today upgrade their self esteem by thinking “do the math” when they are really thinking about arithmetic

.


29 posted on 09/08/2016 12:37:22 PM PDT by bert ((K.E.; N.P.; GOPc;WASP .... We Frack for Peace)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: HotKat

Only in the eyes of liberals who think that the hiring for no job is (and shouldn’t be) based on merit, it’s all a hookup based on who you know. Cell phones, computers, and cars all design themselves, apparently.


30 posted on 09/08/2016 12:38:35 PM PDT by Excuse_My_Bellicosity (Liberalism is a social disease.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: reaganaut1

The quote can be found in this book:

Foolish Words: The Most Stupid Words Ever Spoken
by Laura Ward ISBN: 1856486982


31 posted on 09/08/2016 12:40:05 PM PDT by Iron Munro (If Illegals voted Rebublican 50 Million Democrats Would Be Screaming "Build The Wall!")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: reaganaut1

It’s official. I have woken up in bizzaro world. How in the &%@$#! is MATH RACIST?!?!


32 posted on 09/08/2016 12:40:54 PM PDT by bigredkitty1 (March 5, 2010. Rest in peace, sweet boy. I will miss you, Big Red.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: reaganaut1

Negro public school students do much worse on math tests than white and Asian students do therefore ergo to wit and QED, math is racist.


33 posted on 09/08/2016 12:56:03 PM PDT by arthurus
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bert

that’s true. I never had trouble with calculus, differential equations, statistics, etc.

But long division? Ouch!


34 posted on 09/08/2016 1:04:40 PM PDT by chesley (The right to protest is not the right to disrupt.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: ctdonath2

Fantastic book.


35 posted on 09/08/2016 1:34:09 PM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: reaganaut1

No wonder minorities and women don’t like math.


36 posted on 09/08/2016 2:02:47 PM PDT by I want the USA back (The media is acting full-on as the Democratic Party's press agency now: Robert Spencer)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: reaganaut1

So glad the “National Review” is guarding Conservative Interests. BTW, how much have they donated to the Clinton Foundation recently?


37 posted on 09/08/2016 2:24:02 PM PDT by NYAmerican
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: wbill

That too.

Along with anything they don’t like.


38 posted on 09/08/2016 2:39:42 PM PDT by Arm_Bears (Rope. Tree. Politician/Journalist. Some assembly required.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: reaganaut1

The keys to success include:
Good family structure with 2 married parents.
Study hard and get a good education.
Keep your nose clean, stay away from drugs, excess alcohol and crime.
Get a job, show up on time and work hard.
Dont have kids out of wedlock.
Be frugal and save your money.

Certain groups take pride in avoiding all of the above and then blame racism for their problems.


39 posted on 09/08/2016 2:53:46 PM PDT by Brooklyn Attitude (The first step in ending the War on White People, is to recognize it exists.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: reaganaut1

“Racist” is a made-up word with no fixed meaning, so, since it means whatever the speaker intends, math can be “racist”.


40 posted on 09/08/2016 4:56:13 PM PDT by Jim Noble (Rise)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-40 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson