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Original poster

To ask what is this ‘mutant algorithm’ that Boris Johnson is talking about?

62 replies

Totickleamockingbird · 26/08/2020 23:54

I have no idea how an algorithm can be mutant. And if it was the algorithm that went rogue (if it did!), how come the top civil servant was sacked for it? I simply can’t visualise a mutant algorithm?
Can anyone please explain?

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/politics/2020/aug/26/boris-johnson-blames-mutant-algorithm-for-exams-fiasco

OP posts:
Butteredtoast55 · 26/08/2020 23:55

It's a complete nonsense. I'm embarrassed to have him as PM.

ItsAlwaysSunnyOnMN · 26/08/2020 23:57

Fuck knows

But now we are all asking what this means rather than the exams fiasco

Typical Boris

BlogTheBlogger · 26/08/2020 23:59

He has no idea what the hell he means, so not sure how anyone else is meant to know

FiveFootTwoEyesOfBlue · 26/08/2020 23:59

The algorithm didn't work as it should have - too many results were downgraded. Whose fault it is that it didn't work is another question - and why the govt ignored the warning signs that it was going to go to shit.

Original poster
Totickleamockingbird · 27/08/2020 00:01

I think they are just playing with words to explain away a rather spectacular failure that we could learn so much from. If they give access to the process, we can see how it happened. But I truly suspect that it is not that. I think there is something else that is about to come out, probably through some ‘leak’ from the (very upset) civil service, and he is preparing the public for it to keep the impact low.

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Bluntness100 · 27/08/2020 00:02

Its fairly clear, if you susbstitute the word “shit” for “mutant” you know exactly what he means,,,he was just being polite because it was kids, and because, well he’s the prime minister and he can’t say their “grades were almost derailed by a shit algorithm” so he uses mutant instead,

What he meant was “shit”

Original poster
Totickleamockingbird · 27/08/2020 00:04

@FiveFootTwoEyesOfBlue

The algorithm didn't work as it should have - too many results were downgraded. Whose fault it is that it didn't work is another question - and why the govt ignored the warning signs that it was going to go to shit.
That is the problem, isn’t it? If someone used an incorrect algorithm for this process and dataset, it was their fault! It wasn’t like the algorithm was mutant, right? So how come he is calling an algorithm mutant? To take the spotlight away from the person(s) who used it? Who were they? A Top civil servant has been sacked already so if it was The civil service, Boris could comply say that he sacked the culprit. Why this? There is more to this and some stuff is probably going to come out.
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Original poster
Totickleamockingbird · 27/08/2020 00:06

@Bluntness100

Its fairly clear, if you susbstitute the word “shit” for “mutant” you know exactly what he means,,,he was just being polite because it was kids, and because, well he’s the prime minister and he can’t say their “grades were almost derailed by a shit algorithm” so he uses mutant instead,

What he meant was “shit”

But no algorithms are shit or mutants or whatever. That is the whole point, isn’t it? It’s the use of that algorithm that can be shit, the application of it. So why does he sound like he is trying to blame an algorithm? WTF? Confused
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JimmyTheHoover · 27/08/2020 00:15

On this occasion he's being kind. He's not digging individuals out. Someone came up with this algorithm.It's not the use of it, it's the composition of it. It's crap. Much like the covid ones, the anti alcohol ones, the anti sugary drinks ones. Institutions get paid top dollar for churning out this shite but it's basically tossing a coin and hoping for the best. Nice little earner though.

EveryDayIsADuvetDay · 27/08/2020 00:19

Boris is a mutant algorithm
there is no other explanation

AllTheWhoresOfMalta · 27/08/2020 00:19

As a teacher I felt a duty to get my red pen out for him. Hope this helps, Boris!

To ask what is this ‘mutant algorithm’ that Boris Johnson is talking about?
JanMeyer · 27/08/2020 00:28

So why does he sound like he is trying to blame an algorithm?

Because he's a politician and has to blame someone. Except he's maybe run out of people to blame, hence blaming the algorithm. Fuck knows, i wouldn't be surprised if he didn't know what he was saying.

Boris is a mutant algorithm there is no other explanation

😅😅 Well there is one other explanation, perhaps he was created by a mutant algorithm?

noblegiraffe · 27/08/2020 00:30

It implies the algorithm went rogue instead of doing what was asked of it which was to keep grades in line with previous years.

MistyGreenAndBlue · 27/08/2020 00:33

Ob shit. He's actually finally turned into Trump. Shock

Butterer · 27/08/2020 00:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NiceGerbil · 27/08/2020 00:42

'The algorithm didn't work as it should have - too many results were downgraded'

It did what it was programmed to do. By people. Who presumably got the parameters from somewhere.

Blaming algorithms is pointless. It just sounds fancy to bamboozle people. The people who said what it should do are the ones to blame. And I suspect it worked as intended, but that turned out to be politically a bad move so they say wasn't me! It was an algorithm.

Heffalooomia · 27/08/2020 00:49

He's like a blonde Ken Dodd isn't he 🤦🏼‍♀️

Heffalooomia · 27/08/2020 00:50

Garbage in garbage out

Nikori · 27/08/2020 00:54

@MistyGreenAndBlue

Ob shit. He's actually finally turned into Trump. Shock
That's what I was thinking too.

When the heat is on, just say something crazy and outrageous to deflect away from it.

CoRhona · 27/08/2020 00:58

He's a fuckwit and we are stuck with him for years (unless Cummings' FIL was actually correct) Angry

5lilducks · 27/08/2020 01:05

I think he meant to say (Teenage) Mutant Ninja Turtles

Original poster
Totickleamockingbird · 27/08/2020 02:13

@FiveFootTwoEyesOfBlue

The algorithm didn't work as it should have - too many results were downgraded. Whose fault it is that it didn't work is another question - and why the govt ignored the warning signs that it was going to go to shit.
This is the link I was trying to find. Can anyone please tell me if it’s possible for members of public to sue this company? Some lessons need to be learned. And Boris won’t do that job. So aggrieved students and parents can take this step at least if it’s actually possible.

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/education/2020/aug/20/firm-linked-to-gove-and-cummings-hired-to-work-with-ofqual-on-a-levels

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Tavannach · 27/08/2020 02:20

As if the algorithm had a life of its own and had nothing to do with Boris or Gavin Williamson, the man he appointed.
Just in case blaming the algorithm doesn't work sack a senior civil servant.

Original poster
Totickleamockingbird · 27/08/2020 02:27

I believe this case is easy to win actually:

  1. Ask them to provide the algorithm.
  2. Ask them to include the full process of post-algorithm confirmation via control.
  3. Ask them to provide which independent analysts were used to verify the final results obtained via this whole process.

I have also read somewhere that they tried to hire two Royal Society statisticians for this job who refused to come onboard. I will try to find that link.

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Original poster
Totickleamockingbird · 27/08/2020 02:29

Found the link for the refusal of Royal Society’s statisticians to join hands with government.
www.google.co.uk/amp/s/news.sky.com/story/amp/a-levels-exam-regulator-ignored-expert-help-after-statisticians-wouldnt-sign-non-disclosure-agreements-12049289

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