Do you agree big data can be used in the fight for equality? (See article below)

Excellent article, SGM (Join to see). It popped up on my screen on Martin Luther King Day, next to a question about MLK's dream.

I like the author's explanation of three ways big data can be used in the fight FOR equality: (1) algorithms can be programmed to ignore factors such as race and age; (2) feedback loops can be used to encourage people to treat others as individuals; and (3) data can be used to identify racist policies.

Thanks for sharing the article.

- Yes, big data can be used in the fight for equality.
- Big data can also be used to discriminate both in good or bad ways. An example of good discrimination is a bad driver with several accidents having to pay higher insurance premiums due to demonstrated increased risk. An example of bad discrimination is one ethnic group paying lower plane ticket prices than another ethnic group. The former is about behavior while the latter is about skin color.
- Like any new technology (plane, tank, atomic energy), big data can be used for good or ill and there will be growing pains when we as a society use it for various purposes. The laws mentioned in the article are a red herring in my opinion. Laws usually lag behind technology as people use technology in ways never envisioned by laws on the books.

You'll never eliminate unjust biases in a society. And Big Data has more important challenges to conquer, like agricultural automation and growing more food for this world. If you want to know more about Big Data, go to http://www.bigdatamasters.com.