Weapons of Math Destruction

O’Neil argues that baseball models work in ways many WMDs spectacularly fail. Compare how baseball models and WMDs function and explore the validity of O’Neil’s claim.

Of all the WMDs described in the book, which do you believe is the most toxic, and why?

In your opinion, can a machine ever be unbiased? If so, how? If not, why not?

O’Neil states she often asks her students whether judging potential borrowers on zip codes is fair. Although they may think so initially, they ultimately agree that location isn’t a fair metric. If not location, what other factors do you think borrowers should be judged on?

When O’Neil wrote this book, she described the workforce as being captive to corporations. Do you believe this is still the case? Why or why not?

How does O’Neil think the average American can hold WMDs accountable? Do you agree with her argument? Why or why not?

O’Neil states she left her career in finance and Big Data to investigate these WMDs. What did she find out, and why do you think she wrote this book? What’s the main message?

How does the structure of the text shape the meaning of the content? Why do you think O’Neil organized the book the way she did?