Something and Nothing

Bibliographic Data

ID21237466
AuthorsDaniel Neyland (0000-0003-3764-9674, Goldsmiths University of London, corresponding author)
Year2018
Pages13-29
Publication date2018-07-06
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueScience & Technology Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2243-4690 • E-ISSN: 2243-4690
PublisherScience and Technology Studies (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.23987/sts.56744
OpenAlexW2905440123
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited12

This paper explores the ways that qualities and quantities can be enacted, bringing realities into being and how qualities and quantities might also be undone, and sometimes in order to do realities better. In particular, undoing has become a focus for accountably resisting quantification. Utilising the neologism of the qualculation, the paper begins by exploring a particular kind of undoing: deletion. Questions are raised regarding the legal, technical and organisational aspects of deletion and then how we might bring ideas from Science and Technology Studies (STS) together to pose questions of deletion and accountability. Subsequently, data from a study of the development of an algorithmic deletion system is presented to explore qualculation, undoing, deletion, accountability and market value in action. The paper will conclude with a discussion of the nature of undoing qualculations, of how undoing is a constitutive action in itself

Accountability · Business · Epistemology · Law and economics · Linguistics · Neologism · Nothing · Political science · Sociology · Undoing · Big Data and Business Intelligence · Blockchain Technology Applications and Security · Computer Science · Ethics and Social Impacts of AI · Law · Philosophy · Psychology

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access