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# Race against Technology: Retooling Solidarity, Reimagining Justice

## What is the difference between abolition and reform? Why is it important for some abolitionist strategies to be discreet and not publicly exposed? Why is a tool like Appolition considered to be abolitionist technology but Jay-Z’s Promise app is not? What other examples of abolitionist tools have you learned about?
[Faith] Abolition implies destroying then growing, while reform suggest changing what already exists. Appolition is creating something new/ fighting the pre-existing system. Appolition's mission is to re-invent the system. In constrast, Jay-Z'z app followed the same ideas of the pre-existing. Under the branding of abolitionist ideas they are re-enforcing this system. One abolitionist tool is the democratization of data. It is necessary to demystify and encourage involvement when it comes to data decesions. This is just a broad description of some of the tools that I have learned about.

## Can virtual reality technology induce and support empathy? Why or why not? How might these technologies perpetuate harm and exploitation, regardless of the intention behind their design?
[Josh] - I think VR can induce and support empathy to a certain degree for different experiences for different people. Whenever I hear talk about VR the main buzzword that is always said is “Immersive.” To get the experience of a location or an event without actually being there is one of the main selling points of VR. Using it as an empathy tool helps understand others, just doesn’t seem to capture it correctly and completely. The book mentions a quote from anthropologist John L. Jackson, “Seeing through another person’s eyes is not the same thing as actually seeing that person.” I take this as you are not experiencing what that person is experiencing through a lens. This technology can be exploited by other user creators by making experiences that might be uncomfortable for other people. I feel like tech like this once the majority of the masses are able to get their hands on it, a few bad apples can ruin it.

## What are some of the flaws inherent in the design thinking approach? What is design justice? How can an equitable design process impact how resources and power are distributed?

## What is code-switching? How do power dynamics impact who is forced to code-switch and who defines standard expressions and norms? How has your own identity impacted your relationship to code-switching?

[Derek Borders] Code switching is changing how you communicate based on context. Everybody code switches. I write here differntly than I do for a formal report, both of which are different from how I talk to professor, which is different from how I talk to close friends or family.
In the context of the chapter, code switching is mostly focused on how people whose preferred 'code' is not Standard American English are forced by society to code switch into Standard American English or be penalized with decreased opportunities.
The chapter goes into how SAE is inherently white and how the power dynamic of white supremacy works there.
I'm not sure how much of this is really a power dynamic thing so much as a regression to the mean thing, or an effort toward clarity and minimization of offensiveness to some extent. I can't imagine professional reports, legal decisions, or the nightly news ever really expanding to accomodate whatever Benjamin called what used to be 'ebonics' any more than "y'all" will ever be considered standard.
Personally, I like having a neutral Lingua Franca that is standardized. Admittedly, SAE is more familiar to me personally than for many people with different backgrounds, and many people with the same background for that matter.
Additionally, any effort to incorporate various non-SAE dialects/idiolects could run into cultural appropriation issues.

## What is the Algorithmic Justice League’s Safe Face Pledge? Why have none of the major tech companies been willing to sign this pledge? How do you think the tech industry should be regulated?

[Joseph] The pledge calls on organizations to take a public stand "towards mitigating the abuse of facial recognition analysis technology. This historic pledge prevents lethal use of technology, lawless police use, and requires transparency in any government use." I think major tech companies are not signing the pledge because many of them work with governments behind the scenes or undercover. There was a famous case about the Boston marathon bombing and an Apple iPhone that was encrypted. I imagine a similar situation could happen anywhere to any other large tech company. I think individual countries should do everything in their own rights and laws to regulate how technology is used. Also, governments should not be granted back doors. This forces companies to comply, assuming there are auditors. A lawless, non-authority "pledge" will not convince companies to suddenly regulate their tech for good rather than profit.

## What are equity audits? How do they advocate for accountability and action? Why is it critical that these audits are independent and enforceable?

[Ethan] - Equity audits are the idea of reviewing new and existing technologies to make sure that they are meeting some equity standard in a similar fashion to how financial audits make sure that companies are abiding by certain accounting principles. Equity audits could advocate for accountability and action by bringing to light previously ignored issues. It is critical that audits are independent and enforceable because if it isn’t, any issue discovered by an audit is much less likely to be addressed.

## Why are abolitionist tools grounded in the practice of solidarity? How is this different from access and charity? How can we approach design from a place of solidarity?

[Skip] Abolitionist tools are not only about dismantling unjust systems, but also growing new just systems. Abolitionist tools question the idea of who are the fortunate and unfortunate members of society. We must consider that technologies that seem to work will always have the propensity to harm others eventually. We need to remain diligent in monitoring the impact in the short and long term.

## What biases impact the data collection, processing, and dissemination processes? Why is it important to include stories alongside data when calling for systemic change?

[ Matt Solone ] - There are a lot of biases that can impact the data life cycle. There could be selection bias in the data collection, some underlying racial or other discriminatory bias in the processing and this can be seen in the distribution as it may only be given to particular groups. If we are calling for a systematic change it is important to make the data you're using as transparent as possible to prevent those opposing the change from nit-picking and calling for bias on your part. When you include the stories behind the data you show why the data is the way it is and how you developed your final conclusion.

## What are some ways that we can reimagine the default codes and environments that we currently operate within? What can Afrofuturist and Chicanofuturist visions that center people of color teach us about using science and technology to advance liberation? What other creative alternatives can help us resist the New Jim Code?