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Algorithms to Live By

The Computer Science of Human Decisions

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Algorithms to Live By

By: Brian Christian, Tom Griffiths
Narrated by: Brian Christian
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About this listen

A fascinating exploration of how computer algorithms can be applied to our everyday lives, helping to solve common decision-making problems and illuminate the workings of the human mind

All our lives are constrained by limited space and time, limits that give rise to a particular set of problems. What should we do, or leave undone, in a day or a lifetime? How much messiness should we accept? What balance of new activities and familiar favorites is the most fulfilling? These may seem like uniquely human quandaries, but they are not: computers, too, face the same constraints, so computer scientists have been grappling with their version of such problems for decades. And the solutions they've found have much to teach us.

In a dazzlingly interdisciplinary work, acclaimed author Brian Christian (who holds degrees in computer science, philosophy, and poetry, and works at the intersection of all three) and Tom Griffiths (a UC Berkeley professor of cognitive science and psychology) show how the simple, precise algorithms used by computers can also untangle very human questions. They explain how to have better hunches and when to leave things to chance, how to deal with overwhelming choices and how best to connect with others. From finding a spouse to finding a parking spot, from organizing one's inbox to understanding the workings of human memory, Algorithms to Live By transforms the wisdom of computer science into strategies for human living.

©2016 Brian Christian and Tom Griffiths (P)2016 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.
Computer Science Decision-Making & Problem Solving Leadership Psychology Science Business Career Thought-Provoking Artificial Intelligence Software Development Human Psychology Cognitive Science

What listeners say about Algorithms to Live By

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This was nerd heaven

Loved it, wished it was longer.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

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2 people found this helpful

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Computer science solutions for difficult problems

this is an interesting book about some algorithms and their sometimes surprising or counter-intuitive results. But there is so much more to living that what is covered in this book. Perhaps a less snappy title like "Computer science solutions for difficult problems"

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Theory into practice

This book is unique in that not only does it explores many interesting ideas and topics in computer science such as caching and optimal stopping, it goes onto explaining how these topics can be applied in real daily life, such as the optimal algorithm to settle on a car park when searching for a parking spot. The book's strong focus on real life applications of the theories makes the book extremely engaging to listen to. Highly recommended!

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Unlike any other book

I've read a lot of books on decision making. This one is unique in its perspective and deserves attention for its insights derived from algorithms. Very good book indeed.

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Surprise

Okay never thought it would be this good.
My wife has benefited from this book by me changing our dining out routine which is no longer a routine but us getting new experiences.
I have also applied my new insights into buying a new place to live.
The reading was nice and smooth and I never became bored

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Great explanations for some fairly complex topics.

Great explanations for some very complex topics.
Gets a little technical sometimes, if you’re not paying attention you may find yourself having to rewind.
Also doesn’t contain political biases or agendas.
Very well read and written. 20/10

If the world took advice from this instead of Peterson the world would be a significantly smarter / more compassionate place.

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A unique and brilliant self help book

I found this one of the most brilliant and effective self help books I've ever come across. I would really rate it as a must-read for anybody with a scientific or technical bent who wants to better understand and use that most important of computers - your own brain.

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best of its kind

Have read a lot of books in this genre and this was by far the best. Really well done, and suprisingly logical for a Christian.

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Perfect!

Great book and well narrated by the author. I lookes forward to my commute each day because I have this audio book to listen to!

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Good introduction to Computer Algorithm Principals

The narrator is clear. The subject is interesting if you are new to computer science.
Even if you know the subject, it helps revisit computer science in a human angle.

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