The New Jim Code
What does Ruha Benjamin mean by the "New Jim Code"?
Tech that looks neutral but reinforces racial bias.
What is “algorithmic culture”?
When algorithms shape what we see, hear, and consume.
What app was found to suppress content from Black, LGBTQ+, and disabled users?
Tik Tok
What’s the main difference between discovering something and having it recommended?
Discovery feels personal; recommendations are system-driven
What does “bias in data” mean?
When data reflects existing inequalities or stereotypes.
What kind of data is often used in biased algorithmic systems?
Names, zip codes, arrest records, or spending history
According to Beer, what do recommendation systems actually do?
Shape our preferences over time.
How does Netflix’s homepage influence your choices?
It’s personalized and limits what you see based on past behaviour
Why might self-discovery lead to more diverse interests?
You explore outside what algorithms think you want.
What’s a filter bubble?
An online environment where you're only exposed to content that reinforces your existing views.
What is a “tech fix,” according to Benjamin?
Using technology to fix social problems without addressing root causes
Why is algorithmic power considered “invisible”?
Because people don’t realize they’re being influenced
What’s a risk of Spotify’s recommendation algorithm?
It narrows your music taste and keeps you in a loop.
What’s a downside of relying only on recommendations?
You get stuck in a filter bubble.
What is "digital denial"?
Ignoring systemic racism because it’s hidden in technology.
What’s an example of digital denial?
Believing a biased algorithm is fair because it's coded
What is a feedback loop in this context?
You engage with something → the system recommends more of it → your taste is shaped
Why do platforms use algorithms that prioritize engagement?
Because it increases profit and time spent on the platform.
How do recommendations limit agency?
They make choices for you without you realizing it.
What are “generative rules”?
Rules that don’t just regulate:they produce social norms (Beer’s term).
How does Benjamin connect predictive policing to the New Jim Code?
It uses racist historical data to target marginalized communities under the appearance of objectivity
What does Beer say happens to smaller or niche creators in algorithmic systems?
They get pushed out or made invisible.
What did Latanya Sweeney’s study about Google ads show?
Black-sounding names got more ads for arrest records.
Can recommended content still be meaningful? Why or why not?
Yes, but it might reflect the system’s goals more than your own.
What does it mean to say algorithms have cultural power?
They shape what gets seen, heard, or becomes popular; influencing culture itself