2.5 Space Questionbank

Algorithmic recommendation systems

Algorithmic recommendation systems are used across a wide range of digital platforms, including YouTube, Spotify, Amazon, and dating applications. These systems analyze large volumes of user data such as viewing history, clicks, likes, and purchases in order to suggest content, products, or connections that are predicted to be relevant. Recommendations are continuously updated as users interact with the platform.

These systems consist of interconnected components, including users, algorithms, data inputs, and content providers. Changes in one part of the system can affect other parts, creating feedback loops that influence both individual behaviour and wider cultural trends. While recommendation systems are designed to improve user experience and engagement, they can also produce unintended consequences such as filter bubbles, bias amplification, and reduced diversity of content. This case highlights how algorithmic systems operate as complex and interdependent digital systems.

Case study: Virtual worlds and the construction of digital space

Virtual world platforms such as Minecraft, Second Life, and emerging metaverse environments allow users to create, organize, and inhabit digital spaces. These environments are often built using user-generated content and governed by social norms, community rules, and platform design choices. Virtual spaces serve a wide range of purposes, including education, business meetings, creative expression, and social interaction.

Unlike physical spaces, virtual environments are not constrained by geography, distance, or physical laws. Users can move instantly between locations, interact across global networks, and design spaces that reflect cultural values or social structures. However, access to virtual spaces depends on factors such as technology, cost, and digital literacy. As virtual worlds expand, questions arise about how space is organized, who controls access and movement, and how virtual environments operate at different scales from small communities to global platforms.

Source A

Source B (excerpt from NorthQuay Logistics website)
NorthQuay Logistics deployed WorkSight to standardize performance management across its warehouses and delivery fleet. In a staff email, leadership said WorkSight would “increase fairness by using consistent metrics” and “help identify training needs early.” The email also stated that monitoring would “reduce safety incidents by flagging fatigue and distraction” and “protect customers through stronger accountability.” Managers were encouraged to use the dashboard for coaching conversations and to document repeated low scores. Workers were told they could view their status in the WorkSight app, but that some data (such as comparison rankings and screenshot logs) would remain manager-only “to prevent gaming the system.” The company said data would not be sold, but it could be shared with contracted HR services for auditing and dispute resolution.

Source C (excerpt from WorkSight stats)
After WorkSight, recorded coaching meetings increased by 38%; written warnings increased by 16%.
61% of workers report checking their score multiple times per shift; 44% say it changes how often they take breaks.

Safety reports: minor incidents decreased by 9%, but near-miss reports decreased by 21% (workers cite “fear of being flagged”).

Turnover rose from 19% to 27% in monitored roles; exit interviews frequently mention “constant surveillance” and “no context.”
Managers report faster dispute handling, but workers report more account lockouts after automated “anomalous activity” flags.

Source D (commentary on WorkSight)
WorkSight is more than just a tool. It is a power arrangement disguised as “fairness.” NorthQuay says the metrics are consistent, but consistency is not the same as justice. When your job becomes a stream of captured signals (pings, screenshots, time stamps), management gains the authority to define what counts as “work” and what counts as “waste.” Meanwhile, workers get a simplified score band and motivational messages, not the full story of how they’re judged. That asymmetry matters. It makes contesting decisions harder and discipline easier. Even the language of “coaching” is slippery: the system produces more warnings, more pressure, and fewer moments where human context can override the dashboard. If safety is truly the goal, why do near-miss reports fall? People stop reporting when reporting feels risky. Power in a digital society often works like this: not by loud commands, but by quiet measurement that changes behaviour. The workplace becomes a monitored space where compliance is built into the interface.

The Impact of Cloud Networks on Data Accessibility

Cloud networks allow for data storage and access over the internet, making data accessible from anywhere. This accessibility supports remote work, file sharing, and collaboration but also raises concerns about data security and control over personal information.

The Role of Drones in Surveillance and Privacy Concerns

Drones are widely used for surveillance in law enforcement and border control. While they enhance monitoring capabilities and can improve public safety, drones also raise concerns about privacy, consent, and the potential misuse of surveillance technology in public and private spaces.

The Role of Firewalls in Network Security

Firewalls are critical for network security, acting as barriers between internal networks and external threats. They control incoming and outgoing traffic, protecting against unauthorized access and cyber attacks. However, configuring firewalls effectively can be challenging, especially in large organizations.

The Ethical Implications of Malicious Software in Personal Devices

Malicious software (malware) is a significant threat to users of personal devices, as it can steal sensitive information, disrupt services, or even cause financial losses. With increased connectivity, devices are more vulnerable to these attacks, raising ethical questions about responsibility in cybersecurity.

The Influence of Moore’s Law on Technological Development

Moore’s Law has driven rapid advancements in technology by predicting that the number of transistors on a chip doubles approximately every two years. This trend has influenced the affordability, size, and power of devices like smartphones and laptops, though some predict Moore’s Law may be slowing down.

Gaming and digital identity formation

Online gaming platforms such as Discord, Roblox, and multiplayer online games have become important spaces where young people explore and construct their identities. Through avatars, usernames, voice chat, and in-game behaviour, players can present different aspects of themselves and experiment with alternative personas. Gaming environments also allow users to join communities based on shared interests, skill levels, or play styles, which can influence how identity is performed and recognised.

For many players, gaming identities are shaped through interaction with others, including collaboration, competition, and social norms within specific communities. These identities are not fixed and may change over time as players develop new skills, move between games, or participate in different social groups. In some cases, relationships formed in gaming environments extend into offline friendships, further influencing how young people understand and express their identities.