We rank almost everything: people, schools, products, countries, even ourselves. Rankings can feel objective and informative — but they are also subjective, biased, and sometimes manipulated. This course explores why humans love to compare, how ranking systems shape our societies, and how algorithms reinforce them. We will look at rankings in nature, education, politics, culture, and technology. Along the way, we’ll ask: When are rankings useful, when are they harmful, and how should we design them in the future?
- Teacher: Peter Erdi