Automating Inequality

Brief but important book that examines how automation is becoming a major part of the human service delivery system, or, in many cases the denial of service delivery. Technology is supposed to be objective but the people programming it have their own beliefs and agendas, so the end result is often more discrimination instead of less. The author cites three diverse examples - Medicaid services in Indiana, homeless services in Los Angeles and child protective services in Pennsylvania - and discusses the common themes and dangers that lurk in these alleged efforts to modernize, economize and standardize. It's doubtful that anything can be done to stop the advent of more of these systems but at least we can't say we weren't warned.