Author: Khari Johnson
Publisher: Wired
Publication Year: 2022
Summary: The following article identifies an ongoing problem in many search based algorithms in regards to using the correct name for a transgender individual. “Deadnaming” is the incorrect use of an individual’s pre-transition name. He documents how the failure to recognize this flaw in many algorithms including google scholar’s search algorithm has caused many uncomfortable moments for researchers trying to share past work. Many academics have urged Google and other search engines to change their naming conventions due to this and numerous other reasons a person might need to change their name. In this particular case, advocates are still trying to change this convention, because sites like Google Scholar maintain control over the published documents. This ongoing struggle should be a lesson for future data scientists and programmers to listen to people behind the data points and take their suggestions into consideration.