Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas 278 | Kieran Healy on the Technology of Ranking People
25 snips
Jun 10, 2024 
Kieran Healy, a sociology professor at Duke University and co-author of "The Ordinal Society," discusses our human propensity to rank each other and the implications of this tendency in the digital age. The conversation dives into how technology shapes recruitment processes, affects personal identity, and influences societal organization. Healy explores the clash between individuality and systematic classification, urging caution in AI development to preserve personal freedom. The dialogue offers critical insights into our interconnected lives and the role of data in shaping perceptions.
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The Ordinal Society
- Ranking is fundamental to human social organization.
- Modern technology has amplified ranking's pervasiveness and granularity.
The Naming of the Computer
- IBM France consulted a Latin professor when naming the computer.
- The chosen name, ordinateur, reflects the computer's ordering function.
Technology's Impact on Ranking
- Ranking isn't new, but technology has broadened its application and precision.
- This includes classifying individuals into categories before ranking them.
