Emerging Digital Contexts: eliana

What theory focuses on individual appropriation of technologies?

Domestication theory

What is the current focus of theories discussed in the readings?

Practice-based theories

What do LLMs exhibit according to Tigard's application of Frankfurt's 'On ********'?

Indifference to truth via statistical token prediction

What is the essence of '********' as per Frankfurt?

Indifference to truth, unlike lies which oppose truth

How do LLMs produce text?

By statistical prediction without understanding or meaning

What is the risk of anthropomorphism in discussing LLMs?

Using terms like 'knows' or 'thinks' misleads users about AI capabilities

What does the domestication framework emphasize?

Metamorphoses of technology in daily life

What are the three elements that integrate to form practices according to Schatzki?

Materials, Skills, and Meanings

What is the significance of practice complexes?

They represent interdependent practices, such as metering and exercising

What does Melvin Kranzberg's first law of technology state?

Technology is neither inherently good, bad, nor neutral

What is the process by which technologies evolve in society?

Domestication, where toys become necessities and luxuries become routines

What does the term 'hallucinations' refer to in the context of LLMs?

Fabricated cases or outputs that are not based on reality

What does practice theory prioritize over individual choices?

Routines and integrations

What is the role of emotional attachments in technology use?

They stabilize and disrupt routines, creating reliance on technology

What does the cyclical nature of technology domestication imply?

There is no fixed endpoint in how technologies are integrated into practices

What is the key shift in practice theory from earlier theories?

It emphasizes flow and embodiment over symbolic interpretations

What does the term 'situated objectivity' refer to?

The idea of eclectic self-theorizing based on individual experiences

How do LLMs differ from human communicators?

LLMs lack agency and intent, producing outputs without concern for truth

What is the importance of recognizing ******** in AI outputs?

To avoid misleading users about the capabilities and intentions of LLMs

What is the relationship between technology and societal practices?

Technologies shape and are shaped by the routines and practices of society

What does the term 'quantified self' refer to?

The practice of using technology to measure and optimize personal health

What is the significance of feedback circuits in practice theory?

They sustain patterns and enable change in routines

What is the critique of the anthropomorphism problem in AI discussions?

It creates a language trap that misrepresents AI's capabilities

What does the term 'next-token generator' refer to in LLMs?

A function that predicts the next word based on statistical models

What does the term 'emerging media domesticate' imply?

That new technologies integrate into everyday practices, impacting society

What is the role of normalization in technology use?

It requires active labor and institutional maintenance to stabilize practices

What does the concept of 'practice reproduction' entail?

The ongoing integration of practices that shape societal norms and behaviors

What is the significance of examining interrelationships in space and time?

To understand how specific practices are accomplished and their impacts

What is the difference between undersocialized and oversocialized perspectives in understanding human behavior?

Undersocialized focuses on individual economic actions (homo economicus), while oversocialized emphasizes social structures (homo sociologicus).

What does the term 'actor-network theory' refer to?

It refers to the influence of material conditions and how actions shape our history.

What is a feedback loop in the context of social practices?

A recursive process where repeated performances increase the likelihood of future performances.

What are practice complexes?

Interdependent practices that emerge through synchronization and dependency.

What are the two defenses of AI advancements mentioned?

Efficiency and technical assistance.

Why is it important to have an open mind towards AI?

Dismissing AI can prevent understanding and lead to moral panic.

What is the significance of Kranzberg's statement about technology?

Technology is neither inherently good nor bad; its impact depends on context.

What does 'digital identities' refer to in the context of algorithms?

The way algorithms classify and shape individual identities based on data.

What is the concept of dynamic nominalism as proposed by Ian Hacking?

The idea that people adapt to fit the categories created by classifications.

What are filter bubbles and echo chambers?

Phenomena where algorithms create isolated information environments that reinforce existing beliefs.

What is algorithmic governance?

A system where governance is driven by technical imperatives and action scripts.

What is the role of external definitions in shaping identity?

External definitions influence how others perceive us and how we define ourselves.

What is the difference between structured data and unstructured data?

Structured data is organized into categories, while unstructured data is messy and lacks a predefined format.

What does 'datafication' mean?

The process of turning social activities into data for analysis.

What is the significance of the Petabyte Age?

It refers to the era of massive data scale, where the volume of data changes the nature of understanding.

What is the critique of big data as mentioned in the notes?

Bigger data is not always better; data is constructed and not simply raw.

What is the concept of algorithmic governmentality?

The way power is exercised through the regulation of behavior and risks via algorithms.

What is the difference between supervised and unsupervised learning?

Supervised learning uses labeled data for training, while unsupervised learning does not.

What is the 'end of theory' thesis?

The idea that correlation can replace hypothesis-driven research in the age of big data.

What is the significance of visibility in social control?

Visibility acts as a means of social control, influencing behavior through awareness of surveillance.

What is the impact of algorithms on personal choice?

Algorithms can shape choices and determine perceived futures based on data-driven predictions.

What is the role of confessional practices in the context of power?

Confessional practices can create self-policing subjects who internalize societal norms.

What is the relationship between data and power?

Data shapes identities and behaviors, reflecting the influence of power structures in society.

What does the term 'algorithmic society' imply?

A society where algorithms govern social interactions and influence individual behaviors.

What does 'knowledge is power' imply in the context of algorithms?

The ability to analyze and interpret data gives individuals and organizations significant influence.

What is the critique of the notion that data is objective?

Data is always situated and constructed, influenced by human intervention and context.

What is the significance of the 'microscope analogy' in big data?

It illustrates how big data reveals unseen patterns and insights that were previously inaccessible.

What is semi-supervised learning?

A machine learning approach where algorithms learn from a small amount of labeled data and a larger amount of unlabeled data.

What are structured data?

Data that are easily organized and stored in a defined data model.

What are unstructured data?

Data that do not have a predefined data model or organization.

Why does context matter in data interpretation?

Context is crucial as it influences how data is classified and interpreted, especially in recommender systems.

What is metadata?

Data that provides information about other data, helping platforms build patterns from user activity.

What is data mining?

The automated process of discovering patterns from large datasets.

Define datafication.

The process of turning everyday behavior into data for collection, storage, comparison, and prediction.

What are data subjects?

Individuals categorized or profiled based on their online behavior, such as clicks and searches.

What are algorithms in the context of data?

Mathematical procedures that transform input data into desired outputs.

What is algorithmic power?

The influence exerted by algorithms through systems, procedures, and everyday decisions.

What is automation bias?

The tendency for people to trust and follow automated systems without questioning them.

What is algocracy?

Rule by algorithms, where decision-making authority shifts from humans to code.

What is predictive policing?

An algorithmic approach that uses historical crime data to predict where future crimes may occur.

What are the three parts of algorithmic regulation?

1. Information gathering 2. Standard-setting 3. Enforcement or behavior modification.

What is algorithmic governmentality?

A form of power based on the automated collection and analysis of big data to model and preempt behavior.

What is the New Jim Code?

A concept that describes how algorithms can reproduce old racial hierarchies in new forms.

What is the role of algorithms in public governance?

Algorithms are used to regulate behavior, produce knowledge, and redistribute power in public and private systems.

What is the significance of algorithmic accountability?

It addresses the challenges of explaining algorithmic decisions and the need for transparency in automated governance.

What does it mean for algorithms to be non-neutral?

Algorithms are influenced by the biases of their developers, analysts, and policymakers, affecting their outputs.

What is the impact of profiling algorithms?

They can lead to stereotyping and discrimination by categorizing individuals based on data patterns.

What is the difference between rule-based and learning algorithms?

Rule-based algorithms follow fixed instructions, while learning algorithms detect patterns in data.

What is the concern with big data and theory?

Big data should not be seen as the end of theory; it is still shaped by theoretical frameworks and context.

What is the role of algorithms in shaping social behavior?

Algorithms sort, classify, and filter information, influencing what individuals see and how institutions make decisions.

What is the concept of accountability gaps in automated governance?

The difficulty in holding automated systems accountable for their decisions, leading to potential injustices.

What is the relationship between big data and surveillance?

Big data practices often involve surveillance techniques that monitor and analyze user behavior.

What does it mean for predictions made by algorithms to be probabilistic?

Predictions are based on probabilities and patterns, not certainties, and can be biased or incorrect.

What is the significance of algorithmic outputs in public administration?

Algorithmic outputs can reduce human discretion and authority in decision-making processes.

What is automated agency?

The use of automated decisions to replace human casework in areas like taxes, welfare, and public service access.

What are filter bubbles?

Personalization algorithms that isolate users from opposing viewpoints by showing content that matches their previous behavior.

Define echo chambers.

Social spaces where people interact mostly with like-minded individuals, excluding or ignoring contrary views.

What is epistemic discomfort?

The phenomenon where individuals cling more strongly to their beliefs when confronted with challenging views.

What does context collapse refer to?

The removal of social cues in online spaces that help individuals interpret disagreement in real life.

What is algorithmic bureaucracy?

A system where public administration becomes increasingly system-driven, often using robots or chatbots for tasks.

How can data and algorithms reproduce inequality?

They can reflect biases related to race, class, and gender, leading to unequal treatment and outcomes.

What is the Optimisation Ethic in Silicon Valley?

The ideology that digital products should be designed for self-optimisation.

What is the role of electronic calendars in governmentality?

They are designed to help people manage time better through predictive algorithms, reflecting a belief that people are poor at time management.

What are affordances in the context of mobile devices?

Material possibilities for action that indicate how a device should be used, revealing tensions across historical periods.

What does 'wayfaring' refer to?

Embodied knowing through movement, particularly in the context of digital navigation.

How does digital identity differ from traditional identity theories?

It shifts focus from an inner self projected outward to identity as performed in social situations.

What is 'playbour'?

The blurring of work and leisure, where daily life becomes a quantifiable playground through technology.

What is privacy cynicism?

A feeling of powerlessness among users regarding their privacy, leading to mistrust and disengagement.

How do map apps differ from traditional maps?

Map apps are datafied and interactive, offering personalized experiences based on user behavior.

What is the stochastic potential of violence in digital contexts?

The ability of platforms to amplify hate speech and predict violence in unpredictable ways.

What is the significance of the 'Pocket' in mobile media?

It symbolizes portability and the historical dependence on centralized timekeeping.

What does Goffman's theory of identity performance suggest?

Identity is performed before an audience that co-creates the interaction, but does not account for platform design constraints.