This article started strong and then about half way through turns into incoherent raving. The author clearly has only the foggiest grasp of basic programming concepts. This thimble of knowledge seems to have been gathered with the sole intent of painting Zuckerberg and other tech giants as a cabal of warlocks plotting the demise of humanity.

If Mr. Foer, or anyone from The Guardian happens by this comment, Bravo! I admire your commitment to your narrative, even when all facts point in a completely different direction.

It takes a certain amount of audacity to call the link between Computer Science and Mathematics 'sleight of hand'. To imply that this link was a parlor trick to lend credibility to an industry that helped the Allies win WWII requires an Olympian level of mental gymnastics.