Mathematics as a Tool of Manipulation in Modern Society. Review of the book by Cathy O’Neil «Weapons of Math Destruction. How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy»

Abstract

The article focuses on the analysis of big data phenomenon that by the expansion of information technology
has become a challenge for sociology and social statistics. The history of «big data» term origins is presented,
the factors of appearance and development of this phenomenon are determined. It is noted that in the
sociological perspective big data have not only transformed the methods of obtaining primary sociological
information, but also changed the very logic of the study. The author considers that with a help of big data
sociology will be able to return to its calling – the creation of a large theory of society, which, in turn, the
opportunity to analyze and interpret big data depends on. Emphasis is placed on Cathy O'Neil’s work «Big
data. Weapons of Math Destruction…», which concludes that big data construct new forms of inequality in a
contemporary world. It is stressed that through the focus of this idea the American researcher analyzes the
impact of big data on various spheres of public life: on the educational system, emphasizing the role of
university rankings (which definition is not always transparent) in commercialization of higher education, its
turning into big business; on the law enforcement system, in particular in a country such as the United States,
noting that the mathematical models developed for the country's police have discrimination grounds for poor
and «colored» citizens; on the system of employment, credit system, etc. At the same time, she writes that
because of big data privacy is disappearing in people's lives, they are increasingly adapting to models of mass
behavior, being under the influence of consumer and political (what is especially alarming) marketing. The
author of the publication notes that Cathy O'Neil, unfortunately, gives no answer to the question of how it is
possible to counteract the manipulative effects of big data. She relies heavily on ethical regulators and
recommends to data specialists create models with mandatory forward linkages.