1 RESOLVING THE PROBLEM OF ALGORITHMIC DISSONANCE: AN UNCONVENTIONAL SOLUTION FOR A SOCIOTECHNICAL PROBLEM Shiv Issar | Department of Sociology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee |
[email protected] June 29, 2021 Abstract In this paper, I propose the concept of “algorithmic dissonance”, which characterizes the inconsistencies that emerge through the fissures that lie between algorithmic systems that utilize system identities, and sociocultural systems of knowledge that interact with them. A product of human-algorithm interaction, algorithmic dissonance builds upon the concepts of algorithmic discrimination and algorithmic awareness, offering greater clarity towards the comprehension of these sociotechnical entanglements. By employing Du Bois’ concept of “double consciousness” and black feminist theory, I argue that all algorithmic dissonance is racialized. Next, I advocate for the use of speculative methodologies and art for the creation of critically informative sociotechnical imaginaries that might serve a basis for the sociological critique and resolution of algorithmic dissonance. Algorithmic dissonance can be an effective check against structural inequities, and of interest to scholars and practitioners concerned with running “algorithm audits”. Keywords: Algorithmic Dissonance, Algorithmic Discrimination, Algorithmic Bias, Algorithm Audits, System Identity, Speculative methodologies. 2 Introduction This paper builds upon Aneesh’s (2015) notion of system identities by utilizing their nature beyond their primary function of serving algorithmic systems and the process of algorithmic decision- making. As Aneesh (2015) describes, system identities are data-bound constructions built by algorithmic systems for the (singular) purpose of being used by algorithmic systems. They are meant to simulate a specific dimension (or a set of dimensions) of personhood , just as algorithmic systems and algorithmic decision-making are meant to simulate the agents of different social institutions, and the decisions that those agents would make.