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Precision Laundering

Glossary entry in Failure modes (why Ethotechnics exists). Definitions, checks, and evidence for Precision Laundering.

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Quick takeaways

Using detailed metrics or probabilistic scores to disguise inequity as objectivity.

Definition

Using detailed metrics or probabilistic scores to disguise inequity as objectivity. Precision laundering hides burden gradients and externalization behind statistical gloss, undermining explainability for accountability and meaningful contestation.

Diagnostic
Scope
B. Failure modes (why Ethotechnics exists). Common patterns where responsibility dissolves and harm accelerates.
Genealogy
Calls out false certainty in quantified systems and the misuse of precision as legitimacy.

Related concepts

Also tagged: Diagnostic

Moral Latency Accountability Diffusion Extraction Extraction by Endurance Drift (System Drift) Externalization

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Cite this glossary entry Formats: APA, MLA, Chicago, BibTeX, RIS

Version

v1.1.0

Last updated

Jan 9, 2026

DOI

Pending Zenodo deposit

APA

Ethotechnics Institute Research Team. (2026). Precision Laundering. Ethotechnics glossary. https://ethotechnics.org/glossary/precision-laundering

MLA

Ethotechnics Institute Research Team. "Precision Laundering." Ethotechnics glossary, 2026, https://ethotechnics.org/glossary/precision-laundering.

Chicago

Ethotechnics Institute Research Team. "Precision Laundering." Ethotechnics glossary. Jan 9, 2026. https://ethotechnics.org/glossary/precision-laundering.

BibTeX

@misc{glossary_precision-laundering,
  title={Precision Laundering},
  author={Ethotechnics Institute Research Team},
  year={2026},
  howpublished={Ethotechnics glossary},
  url={https://ethotechnics.org/glossary/precision-laundering},
  version={v1.1.0}
}

RIS

TY  - WEB
TI  - Precision Laundering
AU  - Ethotechnics Institute Research Team
PY  - 2026
UR  - https://ethotechnics.org/glossary/precision-laundering
ER  -

Scholarly metadata

Authorship

Contact: research@ethotechnics.org

Publication details

  • Published: Dec 3, 2025
  • Last updated: Jan 9, 2026
  • Version: v1.1.0
  • DOI: Pending Zenodo deposit

License: CC BY-SA 4.0

Credit Ethotechnics Institute, include the term title + version, and link to the glossary permalink.

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Changelog

  • v1.1.0 · 2026-01-09 — Expanded scholarly metadata, operational tests, and provenance notes.
  • v1.0.0 · 2025-12-03 — Initial glossary release with stable permalinks.