How Facebook and Twitter are dealing with racist posts and Friend of Pivot Baratunde Thurston on why “now is the time to step up, show up, or shut up”

In this book, Cathy O'Neil explores the societal impact of big data algorithms, which she terms 'Weapons of Math Destruction' (WMDs). These algorithms are used in various fields such as insurance, advertising, education, and policing, and they often reinforce discrimination, amplify inequality, and harm the poor. O'Neil argues that these models are opaque, unregulated, and difficult to contest, leading to a 'toxic cocktail for democracy'. She calls for greater responsibility from modelers and policymakers to regulate these algorithms and for the public to become more aware of their impact. The book provides numerous examples of how these models can go wrong and emphasizes the need for ethical considerations in the use of big data models.

How to Be Black is a memoir by Baratunde Thurston that combines humor and serious commentary to explore the complexities of being black in America. The book chronicles Thurston's life from his childhood in Washington, D.C. , raised by an Afrocentric single mother, to his education at Sidwell Friends School and Harvard University. It includes satirical 'lessons' such as 'How to Be the Black Friend' and 'How to Speak for All Black People,' as well as interviews with a diverse panel of black experts. Thurston tackles issues like racial stereotypes, discrimination, and the internal conflicts within the black community, emphasizing the importance of self-identity and cross-racial friendships. The book is designed to educate readers on the realities of black culture and to encourage black people to be themselves without conforming to societal expectations.