2 ms·

But again that has nothing to do with the spreadsheet it has to do with the process (or model in your terms). So to give an example lets say the spreadsheet wa

But again that has nothing to do with the spreadsheet it has to do with the process (or model in your terms). So to give an example lets say the spreadsheet was never invented. That wouldn't have stopped people from creating a mathematical equation to determine credit worthiness. Bankers would just have Joe Spreadsheet do the equation by hand. He's still going to be equally uninformed and he's certainly not going to be able to verify the validity of the equations while he's doing it. He's simply completing the required steps to get the equation to produce an answer. So again the spreadsheet isn't obscuring anything that wouldn't have been obscured without it. If anything it's saving us from the stupid mistakes that Joe Spreadsheet would be making if he tried to do by hand what a computer does.

gaius 18y ago
But the algorithm, the equation that Joe is using will have been created by a mathematician or economist in that case. The thing with spreadsheets is you can tweak them 'til it "looks right" with your sample data, but still have no idea how it will behave when exposed to real data. A model built empirically by one untrained person will show them what they expect to see, or worse what they want to see. Maths should be left to the mathematicians just as chainsaws should be left to the lumberjacks.
- TomOfTTB 18y ago
  The algorithm would have been created by a mathematician no matter what. Spreadsheets don't create equations to judge credit worthiness they only execute them. Because computers don't create process they just automate it. So the difference between the equations being used to calculate credit worthiness should be unchanged whether you're using a computer or a pencil and paper. The computer just does it faster. That in turn means the numbers can be tweaked no matter what. If anything, the computer makes it harder to tweak the number because a manager who oversees you only has to check the 6 numbers you put in and not spend an hour redoing your calculations by hand. The reality is mathematicians wouldn't be giving loans no matter what. Just as physicists don't run power plants they just make a procedure and pass it off to a lower paid laborer. So Joe Spreadsheet would be the one giving the loan regardless.

gaius 18y ago

But the algorithm, the equation that Joe is using will have been created by a mathematician or economist in that case. The thing with spreadsheets is you can tweak them 'til it "looks right" with your sample data, but still have no idea how it will behave when exposed to real data. A model built empirically by one untrained person will show them what they expect to see, or worse what they want to see. Maths should be left to the mathematicians just as chainsaws should be left to the lumberjacks.

TomOfTTB 18y ago
The algorithm would have been created by a mathematician no matter what. Spreadsheets don't create equations to judge credit worthiness they only execute them. Because computers don't create process they just automate it. So the difference between the equations being used to calculate credit worthiness should be unchanged whether you're using a computer or a pencil and paper. The computer just does it faster. That in turn means the numbers can be tweaked no matter what. If anything, the computer makes it harder to tweak the number because a manager who oversees you only has to check the 6 numbers you put in and not spend an hour redoing your calculations by hand. The reality is mathematicians wouldn't be giving loans no matter what. Just as physicists don't run power plants they just make a procedure and pass it off to a lower paid laborer. So Joe Spreadsheet would be the one giving the loan regardless.