Data Are Made, Not Found

"Data Are Made, Not Found" by danah boyd offers an in-depth look into the complex process of creating the 2020 US Census, highlighting the resilience and dedication of government civil servants amid unprecedented challenges like a global pandemic and political pressures. Through interviews and observations, Boyd sheds light on the behind-the-scenes efforts to generate one of the country's most impactful datasets, emphasizing how political forces and stakeholder demands have strained—and threaten—the future of essential data-driven democracy.