Reading Questionnaire #6
Algorithms of Oppression, chapter 1 “A Society, Searching,” Safiya Noble (2018)
& “Black Software,” presentation by Charlton D. McIlwain in conversation with Ruha Benjamin
Please respond to the following prompts. Each response should be between 100 to 150 words. When possible, make specific references to the original text and/or incorporate short, relevant quotes.
1. How would you summarize Noble’s main, overarching point in this chapter about how search engine results relate to cultural issues of oppression and discrimination?
[Place your response here]
2. Why does Noble say that search engines are so influential in culture and therefore so important to critique? What are some of her specific points about the power of search?
[Place your response here]
3. Think of the identities that describe you. These could relate to gender, race, etc. but also to professions, hobbies, or national backgrounds. Try a series of Google image searches for these terms. What do you see? Are you happy with the results? (Note: If a search produces upsetting imagery, you do not need to write about this search.)
[Place your response here]
4. In her response to Charlton Mcllwain’s presentation, Ruha Benjamin says that Black Data offers a version of computing history that differs from the dominant narrative. What is the dominant narrative what alternate history does Mcllwain offer?
[Place your response here]
