The view that more information uncritically produces better decisions is visibly at odds with our contemporary situation.
A superb piece of research and writing by James, skewering the technological determinism that underlies the current faith in “big data.” At best, this misplaced trust is inaccurate; at worst, it is deadly.
To the algorithmic imagination, the practice of journalism and the practice of terrorism appear to be functionally identical.
This is very, very good. It gets a little unhinged towards the end but Jonathan Harris’s initial comparisons of software with medicine are spot-on.
This is why, when a child posits something ridiculous-sounding, you should encourage them.
Simon Singh's newest book is released today. Huzzah! It's called Trick or Treatment? and it's all about "alternative" medicine. Somewhere, Ben Goldacre is smiling.
Here's one for Matt and Cindy: Buckley's truth in advertising.
Finally, questions are being asked about some of the more ludicrous patents out there. "Have inventors been busy patenting laws of nature, natural phenomena and abstract ideas?" Duh!