Big-Data Project on 1918 Flu Reflects Key Role of Humanists

Big-Data Project on 1918 Flu Reflects Key Role of Humanists

Reasons I like article:

•  lots of use of the term "algorithm"
• collaboration between humanities and computer science

For discussion:

• benefits of being a CSist with humanist skills and/or humanist with CS skills
• effect on collaboration?
• how messy the data is 

Facebook's Inadvertent Algorithmic Cruelty

The power of social media and algorithms. Discuss how to know if a post has good or bad connotations.

http://meyerweb.com/eric/thoughts/2014/12/24/inadvertent-algorithmic-cruelty/

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/dec/30/facebook-apologise-year-in-review-algorithm?CMP=share_btn_fb

How data help Duke refine approach on basketball court

How data help Duke refine approach on basketball court

Probably an extra credit article, highlights a job (Duke basketball’s director of information technology) that students may not know exists.

The Three Breakthroughs That Have Finally Unleashed AI on the World

The Three Breakthroughs That Have Finally Unleashed AI on the World

A well-written article at the right level for intro students.  Anecdotes about Watson, Google search, a nice overview for early in the semester.

Emergency Alert Study Reveals Metadata’s Better Side

Emergency Alert Study Reveals Metadata’s Better Side

An interesting counterpoint to what students have learned about PRISM.  Could generate interesting discussion.

Algorithms: The Ever-Growing, All-Knowing Way of the Future

Algorithms: The Ever-Growing, All-Knowing Way Of The Future, posted May 14, 2012.

Why I like this article:

• Good introductory article about a variety of uses of algorithms at a high level
• Good for one of the first (if not *the* first) week of class.

Discussion topics:

• How can algorithms be used for good?
• How can algorithms be used for evil?