If “taken aback” is your softer form of “worried,” then you should be “frightened,” because the situation is much worse than you realize.
First of all, numbers are not the limitation of algorithms (not that there’s anything wrong with that), but let’s not under-scope the topic.
Second of all, even before the second era of computing, algorithms played a dominate force in humanity’s day to day life, success or failure. Boiling the water, tracking the prey, salting the meat, skinning the catch, luring or winning a mate — these and countless other algorithms of the brain helped keep us alive, healthy, fed and procreating.
What the second era introduced was the mechanical device and “decision at a distance.” (If you aren’t familiar with the role “action at a distance” played in a young Einstein’s life, I encourage you to look it up.) As a proud member of the gadgeterati I’m pleased to report the “mechanical device” piece of the puzzle is not the problem (thank goodness, because there’s no taking that genie out of our pockets! ).
The trouble is the inherent limitation of “decision at a distance.” You shouldn’t be concerned by the role algorithms play in your world, but you should be frightened by the role you play in those algorithms, or don’t.
As long as someone “at a distance” controls the nature and structure of the information your computing devices manage and the whens, hows and whys of that (aka the algorithms) you remain a digital serf at the mercy of those feudal lords who do.
In fact, the original serfs had an important advantage over you. They knew they were serfs.
I’m an optimist. I have a clear vision of the third era of computing and a strategy to make it happen. I want to make it much more difficult for future historians to find something to lament about this time. How about you?
My simplistic “gut” concern is now a full blown worry since your point are well taken.
In this case – the prospect of becoming a “digital serf” doesnt sound so wonderful.
Between Facebook owning my social graph and Google owning the rest of my digital self – I feel rather like I am flapping in the digital breeze.
Not sure I like the sensation. Time will tell.