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Chicago Pre-Crime - Racism Cloaked in Science

posted by LaminatorX on Wednesday February 26 2014, @11:00PM   Printer-friendly
from the studies-show-poverty-causes-cancer dept.

Angry Jesus writes:

"The Chicago Police Department is mis-applying epidemiological science (the study of entire populations) to target individuals in a real-life version of Minority Report. They have decided that it is a good idea to put people on a secret list based on a Big Data analysis of their social networks. But don't worry, it isn't racist or abusive because, Science!"

 
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  • (Score: 5, Insightful) by ilPapa on Wednesday February 26 2014, @11:59PM

    by ilPapa (2366) on Wednesday February 26 2014, @11:59PM (#7650) Journal

    Oh please, each and every one of us uses profiling every day of our lives.

    Of course. The question is whether or not we want that profiling institutionalized into the law.

    Just imagine that you're on one of these lists of people with a "high-risk profile", and you're a kid trying like hell to do his best in school and get a good job and be a productive citizen. You really want to trust that this list won't end up getting out and ruining your life? Maybe if you're a good school you don't want to waste a spot on a kid that's just going to end up being a criminal anyway. Why should anyone want to rent an apartment to a family that has a kid who's been identified statistically as being high risk?

    I'm inclined to agree with the poster above who suggested that this is just another way to protect the economic elite and give them further advantage.

    It may not be as efficient, but sometimes it's better if justice, and the law, is blind. I really don't think you want to live in a place where the government is 100% efficient, because there's no way that's not going to be tyrannical.

    --
    You are still welcome on my lawn.
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  • (Score: 0) by The Mighty Buzzard on Thursday February 27 2014, @12:14AM

    by The Mighty Buzzard (18) Subscriber Badge <themightybuzzard@proton.me> on Thursday February 27 2014, @12:14AM (#7658) Homepage Journal
    In the very few places where prevention is the goal rather than punishment, sure. I'm even quite likely to be a victim of it and I'm okay with it in warranted situations. That, however, is not and should never be the job of cops.
    --
    My rights don't end where your fear begins.