Podcast Analysis Essay on "The Age of the Algorithm" by Roman Mars

The Podcast: The Age of the Algorithm" hosted by Roman Mars on 99% Invisible pursues its objective of providing a piece of practical information for everyday life by describing how algorithms influences of human beings majorly negatively by using several different techniques in beginning of his speech, sentences structure, word choice, and in conclusion to effectively communicate his presentations. Romans Mars tries to interest audiences in the topic- the influence of the algorithm by starting with amusing title, a familiar sad story example of a victim of algorithm, use of rhetoric questions to illustrate how algorithms work and how it can be used to either and interviews a Cathy O'Neil, a data scientist who studied several theories, mixed sentence structure, repetition, and, simple words to makes his podcast as clear as possible.

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Introduction

Roman Mars in the pod adopts an easy tone, assisting engage his reader into a serious challenge without shifting the attention of listener away with a too somber tone and or weighty presentation (ANALYZING THE AUTHOR'S PURPOSE AND TECHNIQUE, 106). As much as at the beginning he maintains a friendly tone, he varies the tone of his performance by incorporating a live record of the ugly scene that occurred on April 9, 2017. On that day, Dr. Dao to be pushed out merciless when United Airlines flight 3411 the preparing to take off from Chicago immediately after the discovery of the plane was overloaded, The author strikes the emotion of his listeners as a way of providing added emphasize to his topic. Mars ends his introduction, to the subject by posing rhetorical questions. He used a rhetoric question such but how did Dr. Dao end up being the unlucky passenger that United decided to remove? Immediately manipulates the thinking of listeners by giving a hint of a thought that fellow travelers of Dr. Dao had- Racial discrimination could contribute to the ill-treatment he received. Being a passenger at that plane one could think of that because the rest of the traveler was Americans apart from Dr. Dao who was Chinese. American had a history of discriminating Chinese. However, to a surprise, he shifts the blame by placing the burden to an algorithm.

Main Argument

The whole presentation is structured around the influence of the algorithm. From the heading of the title, one gets a hint what the message to be conveyed is all about. This gives the listener an indication to the matter at hand, hence making it easy for the listener to link up with the message: the author interviews a prominent person, Mathematician Cathy O'Neil to validate his claims. Further Mathematician O'Neil gives into details the topic setting examples from the real world to explain how human being are manipulated data for algorithms for making biased police. O'Neil gives an example of how the police department in the U.S manipulated data for the algorithm to arrive at racial profiling. O'Neil gives her direct, for instance, this unethically of data is what she refers to "I call that the weaponization of an algorithm ... an abuse of mathematics.''

Sentences Structures

Roman Mars varies his sentences. He mixes long and short sentences. For examples, in the second paragraph of his presentation is made up of three sentences. The first two are long, and the third is short. First sentence: so United ended up calling some airport security officers, who boarded the plane and forcibly removed a passenger named Dr. David Dao. Second sentence: the officers ripped Dao out of his seat and carried him down the aisle of the airplane, nose bleeding, while horrified onlookers captured the scene with their phones. The third sentence; the public was outraged. Such a structure of writing reduces the chances of a listener/ reader to get bored. Besides, punctuation matters (ANALYZING THE AUTHOR'S PURPOSE AND TECHNIQUE, 112).

Word Choice

The podcast uses simple words to convey its message. The combination of primary language and repetition makes it easier for listeners to remember and recite. In the Podcasts, some of the most repeated words are algorithm, O'Neil, and, data. Repetition helps listeners to know what the speech deliverer is going to say next. Hence, it makes the message easy to share due to its simplified.

Roman Mars ends up his podcast with a rhetoric question that pushes listens into seeking answers to the problem of a poorly designed algorithm. Since this is, a sensitive matter uses expert- O'Neil to give a reliable conclusion.

Conclusion

In conclusion with the aid of rhetoric devices, backed up with adequate Mars has succeeded to convey his message clearly to his listeners. Comprehending rhetorical approaches are essential vital especially when authenticating any form of verbal communication provided is authentic and coherent.

Work Cited

BIBLIOGRAPHY ANALYZING THE AUTHOR'S PURPOSE TECHNIQUE. n.d.103-126 <https://wac.colostate.edu/books/informedwriter/chapter7.pdf>.