Let’s form an understanding of data that transcends its traditional view as merely quantitative entities used for analysis. The journey begins with insights gleaned from the Coloniality of Data course, which illuminated how data is not just a passive collection of numbers but an active force capable of shaping cultural and social narratives.

Data, often perceived as objective and neutral, carries the weight of the contexts in which it is generated and utilized. This course revealed that data is deeply embedded within the power dynamics of coloniality, influencing who gets represented, how they are represented, and what parts of their stories are told. In the realm of coloniality, data acts as a tool that can reinforce existing power structures, marginalize minority groups, and dictate the trajectory of socio-political discourse.

One of the core lessons from the course was the concept of ‘data colonialism,’ which suggests that contemporary data practices extend and sustain the power dynamics reminiscent of traditional colonial rule. This form of colonialism does not merely exploit physical resources and labor but extends to the extraction and control of data. The implications of this are profound, as they affect how communities are surveilled, understood, and managed in the digital age.

Another significant concept discussed was the ‘coloniality of power’ in data, which refers to how global power relations influence the creation, access, and deployment of data. This power is not uniformly distributed but is often concentrated in the hands of those who already possess socio-economic and political power, thus perpetuating existing hierarchies and inequalities.

Denise Ferreira da Silva’s critique of separability in data provides a foundational concept for understanding how data transcends traditional boundaries, intertwining with colonial power dynamics. Her perspective compels us to view data as elements deeply embedded in socio-political contexts, reflecting systemic inequalities. By acknowledging that data is not neutral but shaped by historical and power-laden processes, we set the stage for exploring its influence on cultural and social narratives, highlighting the need for a decolonial approach to data interpretation and usage.

Through these frameworks, the course challenged us to rethink the neutrality of data and consider the ways in which our engagement with data—whether in academic research, policy-making, or everyday life—reflects and reinforces these colonial dynamics. As we move forward, it becomes essential to interrogate not only the sources of our data but also the assumptions and biases that underlie its collection and interpretation. This critical approach is not about rejecting the use of data but about striving for a more equitable and conscious practice that acknowledges and addresses its inherent power dynamics.

Speculative fiction, encompassing genres like science fiction and fantasy, often serves as a reflective mirror of our society, presenting narratives that both mirror and critique prevailing ideologies. This genre uniquely positions itself to explore the ramifications of existing and emergent technologies, societal structures, and cultural norms. In the context of data colonialism, speculative fiction can illuminate how these technologies might perpetuate or disrupt power dynamics.

Speculative fiction also serves as a creative platform for challenging and reimagining the boundaries established by conventional data practices. By integrating da Silva’s concept of non-separability, these narratives blur the lines between reality and fiction, encouraging readers to question the rigidity of data-driven societal structures. This genre’s unique ability to fuse elements across conventional divides not only entertains but also provides profound insights into the implications of pervasive data colonialism, offering a narrative resistance to oversimplified binary classifications.

Speculative narratives frequently engage with themes like surveillance, autonomy, and the manipulation of reality, offering a canvas to explore the deeper implications of data as a tool of control and resistance. By extrapolating the potential futures engendered by current data practices, these stories allow us to see the possible continuities and disruptions of today’s data colonialism.

One poignant example is the novel 1984 by George Orwell, which, while not modern, presciently explores the extremities of surveillance and data manipulation. In Orwell’s dystopia, the state wields data as an absolute mechanism of control, monitoring thoughts and behaviors to maintain power. This narrative directly critiques the potential for data to become a tool of totalitarian oppression, mirroring fears of data misuse in our own reality.

A more contemporary example is the Black Mirror episode “Nosedive,” where social media analytics dictate social status and access to societal privileges, dramatizing the social surveillance and data-driven behaviors that pervade our digital lives. This scenario explores the psychological and social impacts of living under constant digital surveillance, highlighting the commodification of personal data and its impact on individual autonomy.

These speculative visions encourage a critical examination of our current trajectory concerning data privacy, surveillance, and the digital delineation of identity. They serve as cautionary tales, reminding us of the need to consider the ethical dimensions of our data-driven innovations to prevent dystopian futures. Through these narratives, speculative fiction not only entertains but educates and provokes, making it an essential tool for understanding and critiquing the complexities of our increasingly data-oriented world.

In the framework of my dissertation, I am harnessing data analytics to explore themes within speculative fiction, focusing on how these narratives reflect and potentially contest colonial structures inherent in data usage. My project seeks to unearth the ways speculative fiction portrays and critiques the pervasive influence of data on society. The analysis will rely on a combination of quantitative methods—such as textual analysis tools to discern common themes and sentiments—and qualitative approaches to interpret the contextual significance of these findings.

The ethical dimensions of this endeavor are paramount. Speculative fiction, with its futuristic and often dystopian lenses, provides a fertile ground for exploring the consequences of unchecked data colonization. By analyzing these narratives, I aim to reveal the subtle nuances of data manipulation and surveillance depicted in literature and link them to contemporary issues. This will involve a careful consideration of how data is employed in the stories and the implications for privacy, identity, and autonomy—challenging the normalization of surveillance and commodification of personal information.

My dissertation could leverage the intersection of AI and speculative fiction to explore how narrative strategies in literature challenge and potentially dismantle the colonial frameworks of data usage. This research aligns with da Silva’s call to transcend the colonial constructs of separability, using speculative fiction as a medium to critique and reimagine the role of data in society. By examining how these narratives contest or align with traditional paradigms, my work aims to contribute to a broader understanding of literary data practices.

Reflecting on my dissertation, I recognize its focus on harnessing AI to explore the thematic richness of speculative fiction, aligning closely with the coloniality of data discourse. This endeavor engages AI tools to uncover and analyze how speculative fiction represents societal themes and transformations, providing a fresh lens on cultural narratives shaped by underlying data patterns. The ethical considerations and methodology of my dissertation underscore a commitment to deepening our understanding of data’s impact on narrative construction, revealing both overt and covert colonial influences in literary expressions. This project not only contributes to my academic growth but also enriches the broader discourse on data’s role in cultural representation, advocating for an informed and critical approach to data interpretation in literary studies.

In this journey through the realms of data coloniality and speculative fiction, we’ve unraveled the profound interconnections that shape our perceptions and narratives. The interdisciplinary approach adopted in this exploration underscores the vital need for diverse perspectives in dissecting and understanding the multifaceted impacts of data on society. It also champions the role of speculative fiction as not just a literary escape but a crucial medium for challenging and reimagining the paradigms we live by. As we contemplate future societies, the fusion of data science with humanities offers a robust framework for critiquing existing systems and crafting visionary alternatives. Such a holistic approach not only enriches our academic and practical engagements with data but also catalyzes a more informed and conscientious discourse on technology’s role in societal evolution. By bridging the theoretical with the imaginative, we empower ourselves to envision and forge paths towards more equitable and inclusive futures.

The Role of Data in Shaping Speculative Narratives: Insights from Coloniality of Data / Ambrose Brown, Data, Inequality and Society (2023-24) by is licensed under a