I have chosen to connect the topics of algorithm bias, predictive policing, and diversity in games. At first, these topics may not seem related but in reality, big data is used in predictive policing which is a result of societies perception about certain races which can be seen by the lack of diversity among video game characters.

            Big data is used by all major corporations. It is a tool that can give them information about the market without actually surveying every single person that walks through the door. While this may seem like a harmless piece of information, it has damaging repercussions. Big data sets that are collected from a small representation of a community leads to algorithm bias. Mathematical algorithms are also used to find conclusions about people but using artificial intelligence generates bias based of off preconceived notions about a certain group of people. This kind of bias can be seen on major platforms like Flickr and Google. When looking at pictures of black men, it was sometimes that case that the automatic tagged setting would identify the men as “animals” or “apes” (Kircher). Similarly, when searching through Google and coming across a black-sounding name, it was “accompanied by ads about criminal activity” more so than a search for white-sounding names (Kircher). This leads into predictive policing where authority figures use predictive algorithms about big data sets to stop problems before they even happen.

            Predictive policing is a very new and modern take on policy duties. Because of social media, they are able to use a person’s platform to determine if they are potentially threatening. At a glance, this seems like a great way to stop dangerous people from causing harm. Especially since many extremists take to the internet to boast about their disgusting triumphs. However, there is bias against minority groups as a result of inherent racism. Police are asked to make assumptions about people based off what they find “problematic”. Sometimes, we see white men explicitly talk about the harm they are going to cause people with no police action, but when a middle-eastern man talks about his religion then he’s instantly flagged and watched by government authorities. I will acknowledge that these are very extreme answers, but my point still stands.

            Big data/ algorithm bias and predictive policing are all a result of racism and ignorance about minority groups. This is very clearly reflected in the gaming industry. The lack of racial diversity shows that they believe all video gamers are white. It is very rare to see a black-man that isn’t made to look like a criminal, or an Asian man that isn’t small and nerdy. Most video game characters are either white men or white women. This is structured racism that tells all groups of people that they do not matter or that they are lesser than the white men. Diversity among games also plays intro sexist tropes. The few female characters created are hypersexualized and considered the weaker character. Again, this lack of diversity directly relates to society perception about race and about gender.  

            As a society we need to do better about the racist intentions created by big companies and the corporations that are taking part in these actions need to be held accountable. There needs to be a deeper investigation about the mathematical algorithms being used to sort through people, those police officials using social media to predict hazards need to be devoid of ignorance, and video games need to be more inclusive for all people, not just white men. These are all different factions of life that are caused by the structural racism but can be combated with inclusion.

Works Cited

Kirchner, Lauren. “When Big Data Becomes Bad Data.” ProPublica, 9 Mar. 2019, http://www.propublica.org/article/when-big-data-becomes-bad-data.

file:///C:/Users/emily/Desktop/DTC%20206_Digital%20Reflection_Poster.pdf

If the link doesn’t work, I attached a screenshot of the poster but the resolution is really low.

Area 1: The game “Never Alone” is an racially inclusive game that based off of the
Inupiat culture and their story. The storyline is about An Inupiat girl named Nuna who has to save her village from an impending blizzard caused by the Blizzard Man. Throughout the game, she encounters several obstacles that are trying to prevent her from reaching her goal. With the help of her Artic Fox companion, they try and defeat the challenges using their different abilities.

Area 2: I really like this game because it was so inclusive. The creators actually took the time to understand the culture and their stories which is why the game is so authentic and creative. The Artic Fox is an important figure and animal to the native Alaskan people and is a key character in the “Never Alone” game. While the game is inclusive and the creators did an amazing job with the storyline, there are a few technical changes that should be made. Like many people, I played the game in single player mode which made the obstacles a bite more difficult.

Scorecard:

Female characters
Is there a variety of female characters? +1 for every female
How are the outfits? +1 for every “appropriate outfit”
Are the female storylines complex? +1 if yes

Skin Tones
Are there multiple skin tones? +1 for every skin tone that isn’t white
Are their races accurately represented? +1 if yes
How customizable are the characters? 0= not at all, +1 some options, +2 very inclusive

LGBTQ+
LGBTQ friendly? +1 if yes
Are there diverse sexualities? +1 if yes
Are there diverse sexual orientations represented in the storyline? +1 if yes
Can people with various disabilities use it? +1 if yes

Game quality
How is the overall storyline? 0= bad, +1 good, +2 great
How is the overall quality of the game? 0= bad, +1 good, +2 great

Evaluation of Super Mario Bros, Wii:

Female characters
Is there a variety of female characters? +1 for every female
= 0 (there are two female characters but you can’t play as them)
How are the outfits? +1 for every “appropriate outfit”
= 1 (I give this a one because Princess Peach in a dress which I guess is appropriate because she’s a princess)
Are the female storylines complex? +1 if yes
= 0 (absolutely not)

Skin Tones
Are there multiple skin tones? +1 for every skin tone that isn’t white
= 0 (Mario and Luigi are both white and the only characters)
Are their races accurately represented? +1
= 0 (no because there aren’t other races)
How customizable are the characters? 0= not at all, +1 some options, +2 very inclusive
= 0

LGBTQ+
LGBTQ friendly? +1 if yes
= 0
Are there diverse sexualities? +1 if yes
= 0
Are there diverse sexual orientations represented in the storyline? +1 if yes
= 0
Can people with various disabilities use it? +1 if yes
= 0

Game quality
How is the overall storyline? 0= bad, +1 good, +2 great
= 1
How is the overall quality of the game? 0= bad, +1 good, +2 great
= 2

FINAL SCORE: 4

Overall, Super Mario Bros. scores astronomically low on my inclusion scorecard. But I also kind of set them up to fail. Because I don’t play video games, Super Mario Bros. was the only one I could think of to evaluate. I am also bitter that I have been on the final level for several months now.

Area 1: The purpose of this article is to examine how government authorities use social media surveillance as a means of evidence and potential threats. While this may save government programs money in the future, there is a debate about this use of social media is a breach of the Fourth Amendment which states that in an area that individuals have an expectation of privacy, the governments ability for search and seizure is restricted. Social media surveillance also has a potential conflict with the First Amendment and the peoples right to free speech. On top of that, many of the restrictions and guidelines are outdated and are not applicable to current social media usage. Looking for potential threats seems like a well-intentioned notion, but not when many people of color and members of certain religious groups are being profiled as possible criminals. Additionally, like many other algorithms, this system is not flawless. There are gaps of information that lead to incomplete evidence which can impact an entire case.

Area 2: I can see why using social media as surveillance can be extremely helpful in pointing out potential threats. But at the same time, there’s so much missing with this type of evidence collection. As the reading pointed out, there are people that are falsely accused and observed while other extremist boast proudly about their conquests on Facebook and go unnoticed. Racial profiling is something that dictates a gross amount of who is deemed a potential threat or not and that alone is a major issue. Surveying those who use the #blacklivesmatter have a lower potential for hate and crime than those who are reposting and bragging about hate crimes.

Area 1: The reading by Cathy O’Neil, analyzes the impact artificial intelligence and preset mathematical algorithms large credit companies use to filter out potentially “risky” clients. Major credit companies compile metadata about certain groups of people such as a persons residency and buying history, the metadata is then used to determine if cliental should be granted loans or credit cards, all things one would have to go through an established bank to gain. These algorithms and metadata collections are meant to make the job easier for bank owners, they are preconceived assumptions about groups of people which impacts what they can do financially. Using artificial intelligence seems like a good idea, but it’s not a flawless system and these misconceptions/ miscommunications are negatively impacting many peoples lives.

Area 2: I assumed that there was a mathematical algorithm for different types of people for banks to use when deciding whether or not people should be granted loans, credit cards, etc. But I didn’t know it was so impersonal. It also makes me think about the kind of privilege I have with financial stability. There are probably millions of people that struggle with certain banks because of their personal reasons that AI is unable to see. Like the reading says, there are also people who are being taken advantage of because of this. Data is also able to show who may be financially vulnerable, thus causing money fueled companies to prey on them.

Area 1: The article examines the relationship activism and social media have together. The authors Yarimar Bonilla and Jonathan Rosa specifically look at events that occurred in Ferguson, Missouri. Because of growing social media, people inside and outside of Ferguson were able to connect and witness the horrifying brutality. In 2014, Michael Brown was shot and killed by a police officer and this caused an uproar in black communities because it was caught on video. This went viral on various social media platforms and sparked #ferguson, which was the internets way of showing support. This was a turning point for young black Americans because police brutality was available for the public eye, and lead to #Blacklivesmatter. Social media played a key role for Ferguson and made it more than just a community issue, but a national issue.

Area 2: I remember in High School when the fatal killings of unarmed black bodies was all social media could talk about, both in support of and against. Even in my predominately white, suburban neighborhood, I was tweeter #Istandwithferguson and other hashtags to basically show my support of the issues going on in communities outside my own. I think that social media is an extremely valuable tool for marginalized communities to share their voices and raise awareness. I think that this does count as a type of activism because when we see social justice issues on out timelines, it makes us talk about it and think about the world that we live in. Without social media, Black Lives Matter might still be just a concept and Ferguson may have just been another “angry black neighborhood”. But because of the internet and how many people are actively using social media, their voices were head and change was demanded. Now, these communities can talk about their lives and issues without actually being in a room together.

Area 1: The article focuses on the digital accessibility, specifically for educational purposes. Our current state of digital accessibility is described as a starting point, but a poor one. This leads into the definition of what accessibility means, in short, it is that those with and without disabilities all have the same access. Websites large education systems use such as Blackboard and Canvas are questioned about their accessibility towards all students and the functionality of their websites. There are several critiques provided in the article that Blackboard and Canvas would have to make to become more digitally accessible. These programs have algorithms to make their operations run smoothly but they often fall short of what students need out of an online education tool.

Area 2: I find it interesting that the platform Washington State uses as their hub for school work is rated so poorly. Many of the issues talked about in the article are some that I have come across but figured that it was something wrong on my end. My peers and I often complain about the poor construction of the Blackboard site, I think they should listen to some constructive feedback from their users. This article did a good job addressing what it means to be digitally accessible, and what changes need to be made when schooling and technology go hand in hand. Many of us are extremely privileged in the fact that we have our own smart phones, computers, and tablets, but there are many other students that struggle with school work because they are technologically behind what the school asks of them.

Area 1: This reading was about the content moderators who do all the dirty work for social media companies. Many of them work out of the Philippines in subpar conditions and are well-underpaid. The author, Adrian Chen, talks about the traumatic experiences content moderators have and the psychological effects it can have on a person. Everyday for hours these people sit in front of a screen and filter out the world content. They see and take down some of the most gruesome videos on the internet. Because they see it, we never have to. There is a certain level of physical and mental damage that comes with a job like this and many take this position because it is their last resort. The people who do this job are quietly behind the small bit of humanity that exists on the internet.

Area 2: As I say in many of my reading responses, this article talked about something I had never really considered before. I just thought that there was some kind of algorithm that computer programs made that automatically filters through internet content with the occasional slip up. This reading highlighted the damaging work that content moderators do every single day to protect internet users. I couldn’t even begin to imagine seeing some of the content they do. Watching horrific videos and seeing grotesque pictures for hours on end sounds like a legitimate form of torture. This should be a high paying job because this is not an easy task. I am extremely grateful for the people that do this because without them, there would be no boundaries around what can be seen on social media. I think that more people should be talking about the work that these important people are doing to protect us.

Area 1: The author, Ingrid Burrington, takes the reader on a tour of the coast down to Point Arena to bring attention to Manchester cable. Point Arena is a small town that has one of AT&Ts cable stations. Burrington addresses the internet divide and digital disparities that happen much too often in small, rural areas such as Point Arena. Despite hosting a massive internet cable, the town has little to no internet access. After an attempt to hold AT&T accountable for their lack of return on internet, they provided the bare minimum broadband access to the Point Arena school district. As told by Trish Steel, this creates “broadband silos” which means that students have internet access at school but are unable to do their homework at home. Burrington also points out that it is not entirely AT&T to blame as many older members of the community resist the need for internet because they prefer their agricultural ways. Zean Moore, a computer science graduate from UC Berkley and Point Arena native, explains that internet access is vital to the survival of the community. He also explains that this is a much larger issue of small rural towns being taken advantage of by big corporation cable providers.

Area 2: This was a very informative reading that brought my attention to the internet disparities there are in the world. I’m aware that I am privileged to have the access and technology that I do, but I was unaware the areas that house large cables are often without internet access themselves. Ingrid Burrington did a good job talking about these issues and writing an article that was engaging to read but also very informative. I think it’s entirely unfair that large companies are allowed to do the bare minimum and take advantage of small towns. Internet providers need to be held accountable for their misuse because this is a much larger issue than just people without internet access.

Area #1: The article “The Digital Culture Shift: Moving from Scale to Power to Achieve Racial Justice” by 18MillionRising, talks about the relationship social justice has with technology in todays age. Samhita Mukhopadhyay guides the conversation between her and some of her colleagues, coming back to the idea that presence does not equal power. Social justice issues are being covered by the media but there’s still not enough change being enacted. People need to understand why minority issues matter because we have become so desensitized to the wrongdoings of the world that we are shocked and in awe but we cease to do anything about it. Corporations that censor and filter what its users post need to be help accountable because when platforms are allowed to choose what is posted they can interfere with the voices of marginalized communities.

Area #2: I think that this article is very important and has a good point but I’m not entirely sure if I agree with all of it. I think that presence can be power. Twenty years ago, even ten, people didn’t have the same kind of access to social media that we have today. Because of our technological advances, people more than ever are able to see the injustices of the world. I feel like almost everyday my Twitter or Facebook feed is full of injustices happening all over the world, and yes I know that that is mainly because of the sources I follow, but I’m still getting my information from somewhere about things that I would never have known about otherwise. I think that Twitter especially is really good about giving people a voice and a platform to be heard or tell their stories. Yes, people need to act upon the change they demand but that’s starting to happen. Marchs that are organized over social media platforms, the ability to repost and virtually support people does create a type of power. Maybe not the most “powerful” type, but it’s certainly not nothing.