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"Sometimes data behaves unethically." No, data doesn't behave at all. This is quite a cynical deflection of responsibility for ethically questionable actions t
by el_memorioso 9y ago
"Sometimes data behaves unethically."
No, data doesn't behave at all. This is quite a cynical deflection of responsibility for ethically questionable actions taken by people.
- erpellan 9y agoEthics is a human construct. So data could very well show that unethical (by some definition) behaviour is profitable. I think this is the point being made: the data shows, beyond statistical doubt, that payday loan ads aimed at a certain demographic have better conversion, ergo profit. The data also shows, beyond statistical doubt, that [current fashionable brand] yoga pant ads aimed at a certain demographic have better conversion, ergo profit. The data doesn't care. If you are an ad-funded company (as both facebook and google are), you can't afford to ignore the data, it's your differentiator. I'm not saying I agree with it, I am saying that ethics is an opinion, data is fact. I long for a time when we as a species evolve beyond being so predictably influenced by propaganda.