Computers Quote by Jane Mayer
““The advent of computers had turned redistricting into an expensive, cynical, and highly precise science. Hofeller, the foremost practitioner on the Republican side, had professionalized the vast ideological sorting of the country into warring partisan camps. On his laptop was a program called Maptitude that contained the population details of every neighborhood, including the residents’ racial makeup.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Dark Money, Jane Mayer, 2016
The quote describes how modern computing turned gerrymandering into a precise, data‑driven practice that manipulates districts for partisan advantage.
In simple terms: Computers made redistricting a precise, partisan tool.
Recognize and resist data‑driven political manipulation.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- election planning
- legal challenges
- activist campaigning
- public awareness campaigns
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does technology amplify political power?
- What safeguards can prevent misuse of demographic data?
The analysis can be limited by the complexity of demographic data and legal constraints.