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Algorithms of Oppression
- How Search Engines Reinforce Racism
- Narrated by: Shayna Small
- Length: 6 hrs and 21 mins
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Publisher's Summary
A revealing look at how negative biases against women of color are embedded in search engine results and algorithms.
Run a Google search for “black girls” - what will you find? “Big Booty” and other sexually explicit terms are likely to come up as top search terms. But, if you type in “white girls”, the results are radically different. The suggested porn sites and un-moderated discussions about “why black women are so sassy” or “why black women are so angry” presents a disturbing portrait of black womanhood in modern society.
In Algorithms of Oppression, Safiya Umoja Noble challenges the idea that search engines like Google offer an equal playing field for all forms of ideas, identities, and activities. Data discrimination is a real social problem; Noble argues that the combination of private interests in promoting certain sites, along with the monopoly status of a relatively small number of Internet search engines, leads to a biased set of search algorithms that privilege whiteness and discriminate against people of color, specifically women of color.
Through an analysis of textual and media searches as well as extensive research on paid online advertising, Noble exposes a culture of racism and sexism in the way discoverability is created online. As search engines and their related companies grow in importance - operating as a source for email, a major vehicle for primary and secondary school learning, and beyond - understanding and reversing these disquieting trends and discriminatory practices is of utmost importance.
An original, surprising and, at times, disturbing account of bias on the internet, Algorithms of Oppression contributes to our understanding of how racism is created, maintained, and disseminated in the 21st century.
Featured Article: The Best Data Science Audiobooks and Podcasts
One of today's most important and most exciting fields, data science incorporates statistics, algorithms, scientific methods, programming skills, and more to draw insights and value from data for everything from creating targeted marketing campaigns to advancing medical research. Want to know more about this interdisciplinary study and its array of remarkable applications? We've used our own analytical skills to select the very best data science audiobooks and podcasts to be your guide.
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What listeners say about Algorithms of Oppression
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Joshua Daniel-Wariya
- 06-06-19
Read this book. Tell everyone you know about it.
This is perhaps the single most important and consequential book I have ever read. Noble frames this discussion specifically around how women and people of color have their identities put into a kind of "default mode" online through search algorithms that are not in their best interest, much less represent them in ways they choose. At the same time, she argues persuasively how the infiltration and monopolization of search by the neoliberal capitalist project is a critical issue for everyone. The audiobook for this is quite well done, and it is written with a precision and clarity that will make it accessible to anyone.
5 people found this helpful
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- William R Wagner
- 11-26-21
Delusional to say the least
The author made a fake problem out of nothing and managed to make a 200 plus page blog post that she parades around as a “book”
2 people found this helpful
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- JANICE V KENNEDY
- 10-15-20
Wow, I was totally shocked by what Google does.
This book at first was hard to get into because I am not technical at all. But it was very educational in opening my eyes on Google rolls in the internet. I am recommending this book to everybody.
2 people found this helpful
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- Richard Grillotti
- 02-20-19
A Very Important Book
This research ought to be required reading/listening for all internet users. Corporations as the intentional and/or irresponsible filters of online information has incredibly detrimental results in real life.
Knowing how, why & what results come up when we search is crucial to understand, lest we believe the top ranking searches are the most relevant & useful results out there, and that the results we do get are neutral & unbiased.
2 people found this helpful
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- Monica N
- 01-03-22
Required reading
For anyone concerned about how the digital landscape is hijacking our brains and exacerbating our already existing biases. An absolute must read for anyone interested in creating a more equitable society, and bettering our digital practices.
1 person found this helpful
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- Saiya
- 04-09-21
a must read if you're in the tech field.
This is an informative book with good points. good real world examples and very relevant for today.
1 person found this helpful
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- Power Man
- 02-14-21
It's good information
This is great information for everyone 6-96. The permanence of racism and bigotry is now flowing through the veins of our search engines. Knowledge is power.
1 person found this helpful
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- Chicagomom
- 01-04-21
Fantastic book
Timely and relevant work. I wish I had listened to it earlier. Great narration of book
1 person found this helpful
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- Eric P Ross
- 12-01-20
This book changed my perception of technology.
This book was one of the most well documented and engaging discussions on the issues of technologies role in perpetuating systematic racism while feigning impartiality. I was riveted from the beginning to the epilogue. A great read.
1 person found this helpful
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- Elizabeth
- 04-27-22
Spectacular, a must read for all!
All employees and owners of tech companies must read this, all students of programming and data science, and all people in internet advocacy and in public health should read this brilliant and Illuminating book. Pure genius.
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- Figaro
- 10-21-20
It seems that it has been read by a robot
I had a lot of interest on this book, however the reader managed to sound like a robot.
I was really disappointed with the delivery, which made a difficult "listen".
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- Anonymous User
- 10-10-20
I regret buying this book, but not listening to it
Some interesting parts. The book highlights many problems and issues that seem much more societal than algorithmic. I found it hard to listen to the whole thing because of the strong ideological position of the author. My wife is a different nationality to me and we have two kids. I can't conceive of viewing everything in our relationship through the lens of critical race theory; whereas this book does. The interview at the end with the hairdresser was very powerful and is worth listening to. The author read the book very well, but the content was frustrating. I have a lot to reflect on after listening to this. The big question I have is what is the end goal? What should companies do to be ethical and equitable?
1 person found this helpful