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Computing belongs within the social sciences

cacm.acm.org

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Re: Computing belongs within the social sciences

#4

Post by kbit »

verdverm wrote: post #2

Wow, ACM is taking a reputability hit for this piece. Who's editing that publication now? If it were how the social sciences need to embrace computing, that would be a legitimate claim from my experience at University.

I think that's not in opposition to what the article says. The main point is that computer science largely dismisses social sciences, hitting realizations and creating problems which social scientists have long considered and solved. To fix this, more exchange of knowledge must happen between computer science and social sciences. In order for social sciences to embrace computing, computing must realize that social science is a necessary part of their work.

Re: Computing belongs within the social sciences

#5

Post by verdverm »

kbit wrote: post #4
verdverm wrote: post #2

Wow, ACM is taking a reputability hit for this piece. Who's editing that publication now? If it were how the social sciences need to embrace computing, that would be a legitimate claim from my experience at University.

I think that's not in opposition to what the article says. The main point is that computer science largely dismisses social sciences, hitting realizations and creating problems which social scientists have long considered and solved. To fix this, more exchange of knowledge must happen between computer science and social sciences. In order for social sciences to embrace computing, computing must realize that social sc…

What social scientists consider "solved" does not usually jive with reality. That attitude in itself shows the field still needs to mature. They are also notorious for being more "enlightened" from my experience interacting with them at University.

Re: Computing belongs within the social sciences

#6

Post by kbit »

growlist wrote: post #3

Translation: 'We are horrified that Computer Science students - some of whom might go on to be the next tech billionaires - are managing to get through university without being completely brainwashed by leftist demoralisation!'

Don't you think that, even from a strictly scientific perspective, more exchange of knowledge between computer science and social sciences would be good? Isn't it a shame that, for example, social media platforms don't benefit from the decades of research in social science to create a platform that's more beneficial for society? They hit roadblocks and cause problems which could have been easily prevented with this knowledge.

I think it's similar to the relationship between computer science and statistics - both can live without the other, but both have a huge benefit of connecting their knowledge, working together, and even merging their curricula (into data science).

If you haven't read the whole article, I really recommend doing so - I was put off by the title as well, but it's an interesting analysis and makes some good recommendations.

Re: Computing belongs within the social sciences

#7

Post by kbit »

verdverm wrote: post #5
kbit wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think that's not in opposition to what the article says. The main point is that computer science largely dismisses social sciences, hitting realizations and creating problems which social scientists have long considered and solved. To fix this, more exchange of knowledge must happen between computer science and social sciences. In order for social sciences to embrace computing, computing must realize that social sc…

What social scientists consider "solved" does not usually jive with reality. That attitude in itself shows the field still needs to mature. They are also notorious for being more "enlightened" from my experience interacting with them at University.

Don't you think connecting the field more closely with computer science would help it mature, though? Both sides could benefit from this: Both get methods, challenges and insight from each other. It might bring both a bit closer down to earth - computer science gets a better idea of possible social challenges their work could face or produce; social science gains new perspectives from more technical and practical students.

Re: Computing belongs within the social sciences

#8

Post by verdverm »

kbit wrote: post #6
growlist wrote: post #3

Translation: 'We are horrified that Computer Science students - some of whom might go on to be the next tech billionaires - are managing to get through university without being completely brainwashed by leftist demoralisation!'

Don't you think that, even from a strictly scientific perspective, more exchange of knowledge between computer science and social sciences would be good? Isn't it a shame that, for example, social media platforms don't benefit from the decades of research in social science to create a platform that's more beneficial for society? They hit roadblocks and cause problems which could have been easily prevented with this k…

On the recommendations:

1. The courses taught are very low level, below the level of building platforms. There really isn't a social science perspective to algos, OS, CPU arch.

2. This is already the case, 50% of classes must be from outside the department with more rules about what is required

3. This is already the case

The author seems misinformed about the nature of CS programs and how departments already work.

My point about ACM pushing garbage content shall remain

Re: Computing belongs within the social sciences

#9

Post by ericmay »

kbit wrote: post #6
growlist wrote: post #3

Translation: 'We are horrified that Computer Science students - some of whom might go on to be the next tech billionaires - are managing to get through university without being completely brainwashed by leftist demoralisation!'

Don't you think that, even from a strictly scientific perspective, more exchange of knowledge between computer science and social sciences would be good? Isn't it a shame that, for example, social media platforms don't benefit from the decades of research in social science to create a platform that's more beneficial for society? They hit roadblocks and cause problems which could have been easily prevented with this k…

> Don't you think that, even from a strictly scientific perspective, more exchange of knowledge between computer science and social sciences would be good?

Hmm. Not necessarily. If you're speaking strictly from the point of view of sharing knowledge, well, there's nothing really stopping that now. But if we're talking about moving computer science departments into social science departments under the pretext of sharing knowledge, I'm not sure that's necessarily a good thing. It might be, but I'm not sure.

What would the effect be of putting physics in the social science departments? Or mechanical engineering? I think if you can answer that question, you can answer it for computer science, and by extension you could just say you could introduce all of these programs into the social science departments to share knowledge... in which case you could just have a university.

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