In this assignment, you are tasked with reading and reflecting on a computer science paper featured in the 2015 Computing within Limits Workshop. The workshop is focused on exploring the role of computing in human societies affected by real-world limits, ecological and otherwise. More information about the workshop and other works published can be found here.
The paper is titled “Information Systems for the Age of Consequences”, and it explores issues related to sustainble and responsible computing.
Why is this research important? Why should we care?
Computing technologies are all around us. As budding computer scientists, it is our responsiblity to be informed about the ways that computer science can be put to use to make the world a better place, but also where it can cause harm. It is important to think critically about when and how techonlogy is the answer to our problems and when it is not.
Who are the paper’s primary authors?
M. Six Silberman PhD
Michael “Six” Silberman is a software engineer at a London-based social enterprise that aims to give people the tools, networks and confidence to inspire positive change at work. He has a PhD from UC Irvine in Information and Computer Sciences and has contributed to peer reviewed research on environment issues in information technology, working conditions of workers on digital labor platforms, and ecological economics. Link to Silberman’s homepage.
Where should you ask questions on readings?
Is there a term or concept used in the paper that you’re confused by? Please email Kaki at kakiryan@cs.une.edu and I will respond to you!
Any questions asked on readings in office hours, oustide of logistical questions, will be redirected to Kaki :)
Read the Paper, Reflect, and Respond
You can find a PDF copy of the paper to read here: https://computingwithinlimits.org/2015/papers/limits2015-silberman.pdf.
You will find the assignment “Reading 00 - Age of Consequences” on Gradescope. There are 6 possible prompts and you are asked to respond to any 2 prompts that you would prefer. Your responses should be short essays with a minimum word count of 200 words. For the prompts, rubrics, and other instructions please refer to the assignment on Gradescope.