In the United States, the census is democracy’s data. These data make politics – and politics make these data. “Data Are Made, Not Found” tells the story of what it took for the US Census Bureau to make its canonical data in 2020, amidst a pandemic, natural disasters, and political pressure. The making of these data is more than meets the eye. After all, what do government officials do when people refuse to participate or when workers submit fabricated data? And how does the government balance the competing goals of publishing as much data as possible without inadvertently breaching the confidentiality of the public? To complicate matters, government officials must navigate “Jenga politics” as both well-intended and malevolent actors try to achieve their goals by weakening the administrative state and putting pressure on a wobbly structure. Civil servants do their best to keep the tower from collapsing, but the precarity is real. In this talk, danah boyd will discuss what it takes to make democracy’s data – and what those who care about data and democracy should understand about the complexities of making high-stakes data.
Parking Near Shannon Library:
- Central Grounds Garage (400 Emmet St. S.) — Closest paid garage. Pay via ParkMobile app or at pay stations (2nd/3rd levels).
- Street & Metered Parking — Limited 2-hour spots on Main Street; metered spaces on McCormick Rd.
- Accessible Parking — Designated spaces on McCormick Rd, directly in front of Shannon Library.
Bus Access:
- Free UTS buses stop directly in front of the building at the McCormick Rd @ Shannon Library stop.
