Ep 4. Digits

The show "Connected" delves into the interconnectedness of humanity through various technological advances, and season 1 episode 4, titled "Digits," explores the impact of numbers on our lives.

The episode begins with host Latif Nasser discussing the universal language of numbers and how they have become intertwined with modern society. From our phone numbers and social security digits to the algorithms used by companies to curate personalized experiences, numbers have become an integral part of our daily lives.

Latif then meets with a man named Alex, who has made a career out of studying the patterns behind phone numbers. With over 28,000 phone numbers in his database, Alex explains how phone numbers can reveal a lot about an individual, including their age, location, and even political affiliation. He also discusses how phone numbers have evolved over the years, from the days of rotary phones to the modern smartphone era.

Next, Latif travels to Las Vegas to explore the world of professional sports betting. He meets with a group of individuals who have built a complex algorithm to predict the outcome of sports games. They explain how they factor in various variables, such as weather, player injuries, and historical data to make their predictions. However, they also acknowledge that there is always a level of unpredictability in sports, and even the best algorithms can't always account for it.

The episode then shifts to a more serious topic, as Latif discusses the use of numbers in the criminal justice system. He meets with Catherine Kim, a professor of law at the University of North Carolina, who explains how algorithms are being used to predict the likelihood of a criminal reoffending. While there is some benefit to using data to inform decisions, Catherine also notes that these algorithms often perpetuate the systemic biases already present in the justice system.

Finally, Latif turns to a more philosophical discussion about the broader implications of numbers in our lives. He meets with mathematician Eugenia Cheng, who argues that numbers are just a tool, and how we use them ultimately determines their impact. She discusses how numbers can be used to manipulate people and perpetuate inequality, but they can also be used to bring about positive change.

Overall, "Digits" offers a thought-provoking exploration into the role of numbers in our lives, from the seemingly mundane aspects of our daily routine to the far-reaching implications in the justice system and beyond. Through insightful interviews and engaging storytelling, the episode challenges viewers to consider how we use and interpret numerical data in our ever-evolving world.