Algorithms to Live By
The Computer Science of Human Decisions
Tom Griffiths author Brian Christian author
Format:Paperback
Publisher:HarperCollins Publishers
Published:6th Apr '17
£10.99
Available for immediate dispatch.
This insightful book explores how algorithms can enhance decision-making in everyday life, offering practical strategies for various challenges. Algorithms to Live By is both enlightening and useful.
In Algorithms to Live By, acclaimed author Brian Christian and cognitive scientist Tom Griffiths delve into the fascinating intersection of computer algorithms and everyday human decision-making. This interdisciplinary work highlights how the precise algorithms that power computers can also help us navigate the complexities of modern life. With constraints of time and space shaping our choices, the authors explore how we can optimize our daily decisions and better understand the processes behind them.
The book tackles pressing questions such as what tasks to prioritize and how to manage the chaos of overwhelming options. Christian and Griffiths provide insights into improving our instincts, knowing when to embrace randomness, and fostering connections with others. They draw on a range of examples, from choosing a life partner to organizing digital information, illustrating how algorithmic thinking can enhance our problem-solving capabilities.
Algorithms to Live By is not just a guide to computational thinking; it is a practical resource filled with strategies for addressing common decision-making dilemmas. By shedding light on the workings of the human mind through the lens of algorithms, the authors empower readers to make more informed choices and embrace the messiness of life with confidence.
‘I’ve been waiting for a book to come along that merges computational models with human psychology – and Christian and Griffiths have succeeded beyond all expectations. This is a wonderful book, written so that anyone can understand the computer science that runs our world – and more importantly, what it means to our lives’ David Eagleman, author of ‘Sum: Tales from the Afterlives’
‘Compelling and entertaining, Algorithms to Live By is packed with practical advice about how to use time, space, and effort more efficiently. And it’s a fascinating exploration of the workings of computer science and the human mind. Whether you want to optimize your to-do list, organize your closet, or understand human memory, this is a great read’ ‘Charles Duhigg, author of The Power of Habit’
‘A truly beautiful exploration through math, computer science and philosophy of some of the most ordinary, yet most important dilemmas any of us is likely to face. Filled with humour and wisdom, this is a bible with a brain’ Aarathi Prasad
ISBN: 9780007547999
Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 23mm
Weight: 260g
368 pages