SPOS #999 – Noah Giansiracusa On The Algorithms That Run Your Life

Welcome to episode #999 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast.

Noah Giansiracusa is an associate professor of mathematics at Bentley University and a visiting scholar at Harvard who has built a reputation for translating the hidden power of algorithms into plain language that empowers individuals. With a PhD in algebraic geometry from Brown, he’s always bringing a mathematician’s eye to the cultural and social impact of technology. His earlier book, How Algorithms Create and Prevent Fake News, was praised by Nobel Prize–winning economist Paul Romer as “the best guide to the strategies and stakes of this battle for the future.” In his latest book, Robin Hood Math - Take Control Of The Algorithms That Run Your Life, Noah shows how banks, insurers, tech giants and governments use algorithms to make decisions that shape our lives, and how ordinary people can reclaim agency using simple mathematical tools. At a time when our feeds, finances and even friendships are increasingly mediated by code, Noah argues that math can be a democratizing force: a way to cut through the opacity of “black box” systems, understand who benefits from them, and make better choices in daily life. His work emphasizes that algorithms are neither inherently good nor bad, they tilt the balance of power depending on who wields them. By unpacking formulas like the weighted sum that underpins credit scores, college rankings and even TikTok virality, he provides a way to see through the manipulation and complexity. In this episode, Noah discusses the double-edged nature of technology, the transparency gap in digital platforms, the cultural consequences of algorithm-driven media and why math education must evolve to reflect the algorithmic realities students are already living. For anyone curious about reclaiming autonomy in a world increasingly designed by machines, his message is clear: a little math can go a long way in leveling the playing field. Enjoy the conversation...

• Running time: 1:05:57.
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• Here is my conversation with Noah Giansiracusa.
• Robin Hood Math - Take Control Of The Algorithms That Run Your Life.
• How Algorithms Create and Prevent Fake News.
• Check out Noah’s podcast: AI In Academia: Navigating The Future.
• Follow Noah on Instagram.
• Follow Noah on LinkedIn.

Chapters:

(00:00) - Understanding Algorithms and Their Impact.
(03:11) - The Dual Nature of Technology.
(06:05) - Agency in an Algorithmic World.
(09:00) - The Centralization of Algorithms.
(11:53) - The Role of Math in Understanding Algorithms.
(15:04) - Practical Applications of Algorithm Understanding.
(19:07) - Engagement and Its Consequences.
(24:06) - Navigating Social Media Dynamics.
(27:54) - The Future of AI and Algorithms.
(37:28) - Understanding AI: Generative vs Traditional.
(39:59) - The Impact of AI on Social Media.
(41:25) - Data as the New Oil: Advertising and Efficacy.
(44:51) - Transparency in Technology and Advertising.
(48:19) - Bridging the Gap: Understanding Algorithms.
(51:56) - The Power Dynamics of Technology.
(53:58) - Reclaiming Agency Through Math.
(56:49) - Rethinking Math Education for the Modern World.
(01:00:42) - Simplicity in Complexity: Understanding Algorithms.
(01:03:51) - Finding Relevance in Math.