Cathy O'Neil
Cathy O'Neil is an American mathematician, data scientist, and author known for her work on the societal impact of algorithms and data-driven technologies. She is the author of the book 'Weapons of Math Destruction'.
Books
This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.
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1. Weapons Of Math Destruction
How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy
The book explores the pervasive and often harmful impact of big data and algorithms on society, particularly how they reinforce inequality and discrimination. It delves into various sectors, such as education, finance, and law enforcement, illustrating how these mathematical models, which the author terms "Weapons of Math Destruction," are often opaque, unregulated, and biased. These algorithms can perpetuate systemic injustices by making critical decisions based on flawed or incomplete data, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities. The book calls for greater transparency and accountability in the development and deployment of these powerful tools to ensure they serve the public good rather than exacerbate existing societal issues.
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2. The Shame Machine
Who Profits in the New Age of Humiliation
In this insightful exploration, the author delves into the pervasive and often invisible mechanisms of shame that permeate modern society, examining how they are wielded as tools of control and manipulation. By dissecting various societal structures, from healthcare to social media, the narrative reveals how shame is strategically deployed to marginalize individuals and maintain power dynamics. The book challenges readers to recognize and dismantle these systems, advocating for a more empathetic and equitable world where shame is not used as a weapon against the vulnerable.
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3. Doing Data Science
Straight Talk from the Frontline
An introductory, practice-focused guide to the data science process, covering problem formulation, data acquisition and cleaning, exploratory analysis, statistical modeling and machine learning, validation and A/B testing, visualization, and communication, with examples drawn from industry and academia and an emphasis on practical workflows, collaboration, reproducibility, and ethical considerations in deploying data-driven solutions.
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