Nordic Perspectives on Algorithmic Systems Card Box

This pdf contains the full materials for Nordic Perspectives on Algorithmic Systems: A Card Box, including an information leaflet, four card decks (settings, methods, metaphors, caveats), and the box itself. Please note that the compilation is not optimized for printing!

The contents of this box were developed to support the creation of games for exploration of algorithmic systems in research and design. The box contains four decks of cards: (1) The Settings deck features different algorithmic systems and contexts where they are used, ranging from mainstream platforms like Facebook and Spotify to more particular uses such the allocation of healthcare, the coordination of education work, and facilitation of job seeking. (2) The Methods deck introduces a range of methods that can be used in studying algorithms and algorithmic systems. (3) The Metaphors deck consists of a variety of metaphors that have (or could be) used to describe and discuss algorithms and algorithmic systems. (4) The Caveats deck is full of surprises and unexpected requirements. The cards in this deck are meant to force new lines of thinking!

This box is the product of a Nordic collaboration in the scope of the NOS-HS workshop series Nordic Perspectives on Algorithmic Systems: Concepts, Methods, and Interventions during 2019-2022. Nordic Perspectives on Algorithmic Systems: Concepts, Methods, and Interventions was a series of three workshops, situated in the emerging area of critical algorithm studies. The workshops were geared to develop a Nordic perspective to the social study of algorithms, adding diversity to the academic status quo and improving conceptual frameworks and methods for addressing problems pertaining to the social implications of algorithmic systems. The workshop series was led by Airi Lampinen from Stockholm University, in close collaboration with Marisa Cohn and Pedro Ferreira from IT University of Copenhagen, Asko Lehmuskallio and Thomas Olsson from Tampere University, Matti Nelimarkka from Aalto University and Barry Brown from Stockholm University.

Drawing upon contributions from network members, these cards were originally put together for our meeting in Copenhagen. The game design workshop in Copenhagen was led by Michael Hockenhull and Mace Ojala. The design of the card decks in this box was led by Airi Lampinen, Pedro Ferreira, Matti Nelimarkka, Michael Hockenhull, Jesse Haapoja, Marisa Cohn and Juho Pääkkönen. The visual design of the card box and the cards was done by Rebeca Blanco. The effort to design this card box has also been supported by the Kone Foundation project Algorithmic Systems, Power and Interaction and the Swedish Research Council grant No. 2017-05382_3.