In their essay “Six Provocations for Big Data”, danah boyd and Kate Crawford argue if the use of Big Data is ethical based upon the fact that is easily accessible to all, especially in today’s society. boyd, a researcher “and [the] founder of Data & Society Research Institute”, and Kate Crawford, also a researcher and professor, attempt to reach an uninformed, nonbiased audience (754). Through their writings, they bring to light the definition of Big Data, where it comes from, how it is used, and how it will affect the future of technology and privacy. Respectively, boyd and Crawford’s effort to persuade the audience …show more content…
In an attempt to inform and persuade the audience ethically, they successfully use a well-balanced proportion of pathos, ethos, and logos. While the appeal to pathos is the least evident, the presentation as a whole forces the audience to bring questions to unethical problems allowing for an appeal to fear. When explaining how researches must reiterate on the prominence of responsibility in using Big Data, they explain that “academic researchers are held to specific professional standards when working with human participants in order to protect their rights and well-being” (759). However, they go on to explain how researches fail to understand this purpose. This creates apprehension when researching topics, issues, and current events happening within the world of Big Data. Concluding the presentation, the appeal to fear and emotion becomes the most evident offering a number of different claims that inspire the audience to ask inciting questions. In addition to fear, boyd and Crawford display two quotes before beginning the text, offering an outlet for opinion and influence outside of the body of their presentation. Ethos, on the other hand, is used accordingly, offering the perfect amount of credibility. When referencing to the reference page, it is evident that with the number of credible sources cited, their research and study of the topic was strategically, specifically sought out. With the quantity and quality equally evident through their sources makes boyd and Crawford that much more credible. In regard to the appeal of logic, boyd and Crawford successfully complete a balanced triangle of appeals. With the broken thesis spread through the presentation, offering the claim in sections and following each with a clear reason and reliable evidence makes for an easy, accessible read for all. The topics presented are clear, linked, and relevant. For example, in the beginning sentences of specific