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Making Algorithms: Inscriptions, Benchmarks and Computers

Fri, September 1, 4:00 to 5:30pm, Sheraton Boston, Floor: 3, Beacon E

Session Submission Type: Traditional (Closed) Panel

Abstract

Very much in the line with recent studies of science and technology, the aim of this session is to provide conceptually nuanced and empirically grounded accounts of technical and scientific practices organized around so-called ‘algorithms’ [Ziewitz 2016]. The case studies brought together here — ranging from plasma physics, astronomy, smartphone app development, to computational vision and metaheuristics — seek to grasp the similar as well as singular ways in which formalized and stabilized computational techniques are instantiated. More specifically, in the hope of better documenting the expressions of these elusive entities that ‘irrigate’ many domains of activity, the session will present detailed examinations of: (i) the formal traces (e.g. pseudo-code, diagrams, and other notations) through which ‘algorithms’ manifest themselves [Rheinberger 1997, Netz 1999] ; (ii) the tests (e.g. benchmarks, instances, ground-truths) used to evaluate ‘algorithms’ [Stengers 2006, Johnson 2009] ; (iii) the concrete gestures (e.g. experiments, proofs) practitioners deploy to make ‘algorithms’ operate effectively [Collins 1990, Mackenzie 2004].

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