Technically Wrong
Sexist Apps, Biased Algorithms, and Other Threats of Toxic Tech
by Sara Wachter-Boettcher
This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
Send NetGalley books directly to your Kindle or Kindle app
1
To read on a Kindle or Kindle app, please add kindle@netgalley.com as an approved email address to receive files in your Amazon account. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
2
Also find your Kindle email address within your Amazon account, and enter it here.
Pub Date Oct 10 2017 | Archive Date Sep 30 2017
Description
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9780393634631 |
| PRICE | $24.95 (USD) |
| PAGES | 240 |
Links
Featured Reviews
Tahlia D, Reviewer
Exactly as the title says, this book outlines everything wrong with technology in today's society - namely our most used apps and social networking websites.
There is so much relevant information in this book - how Facebook and fake news impacted the 2016 US Election and how the quirky-cute approach you often see in apps can have a negative impact on some users.
However, the most pressing problem is the lack of diversity in big tech companies - especially Facebook and Twitter. They may release diversity reports claiming otherwise, but do they ever release solid numbers? No.
These tech companies are mainly young, white men. And what do these young, white men create? Products for the "average human" - products that reflect themselves.
For example:
Snapchat releasing whitewashing photo filters and filters that embrace "yellow-face" - you know the ones
Google Photo's algorithm tagging black people as "gorilla"
Twitter and Facebook's "report abuse" method being very difficult and annoying to put into practice. These white men would never need to use this function.
Why is this so?
Because the people at these companies have not thought to cater to the whole population and when caught out, blame it on these being "extreme cases". Is being black an "extreme case"? Hell no.
Until tech companies start hiring those in minority groups, new products and releases are going to be designed the exact same way.
But, these companies use the excuse that there are not enough minorities in the "pipeline" (graduating in this area) to actually hire them - although this may be the case sometimes, it is just another excuse.
"Potential employers spend their time looking for a culture fit - someone who neatly matches employees already in the company."
I highly recommend this book - especially for those who feel underrepresented and ignored by big companies. It is very important that people see why these products are designed in such a way and how we change possibly change that.
"Every detail can add to the culture we want - can make people a little safer, a little calmer, a little more hopeful."
