# The Rhetoric of Machine Learning

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2604.06754 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2604.06754/

## Key facts

- No citing papers in the map yet (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 0 of its 4 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 8 Apr 2026.

## Abstract (arXiv)

I examine the technology of machine learning from the perspective of rhetoric, which is simply the art of persuasion. Rather than being a neutral and "objective" way to build "world models" from data, machine learning is (I argue) inherently rhetorical. I explore some of its rhetorical features, and examine one pervasive business model where machine learning is widely used, "manipulation as a service."