Algorithms to Live By
The Computer Science of Human Decisions
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Algorithms to Live By
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Narrated by:
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Brian Christian
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.Listeners also enjoyed...
What listeners say about Algorithms to Live By
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Lord Emsworth
- 20-02-17
Too much detail for the layperson
Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?
Only if she had a strong interest in Mathematics or algoriths
Has Algorithms to Live By put you off other books in this genre?
Slightly.
Which character – as performed by Brian Christian – was your favourite?
There were not characters. This is a non-fiction book so the question is not relevant
Do you think Algorithms to Live By needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?
No. There's plenty in this already.
Any additional comments?
I bought the audiobook from Audible as it was a deal of the day, and it looked interesting.
I waved the white flag after listening to about four hours of the audiobook (of a total of about 12 hours).
The insights and conclusions were great but, as a lay person, I simply wasn't interested in all the detail....and there's lots of detail.
Some of the content is fascinating but there was just too much Mathematics.
I'd devour an executive summary but you need a strong interest in Mathematics and algorithms to plough through 12 hours.
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5 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 19-08-19
simple, to the point and rich in wisdom
A lot of learning in one book. A gift for every data scientist and anyone who seeks logic
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Stefano S.
- 16-12-19
Just wow! Be aware, sometimes it goes technical.
Now, I have to buy the paper copy of the book. The contents are superlative, every explanation crystal clear and the narrator, I guess one of the authors, is really good. A book that makes you think of everything happens in your life from another perspective, an algorithmic one. Indicated for whoever has a bit of CS background or maths.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Brian D.
- 04-08-19
A great perspective on algorithms in daily life
As a non-computing scientist with nerdy tendencies, this was an interesting listen and I think it even merits listening again. I very rarely revisit books once finished but there are some real thinking points to consider again and in more depth. Glad I got this book, and wish more algorithms were discussed.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- James Duncan
- 27-02-20
Well worth 'buying'
I have only given it 4 stars as I think 5 should be reserved for the truly great or remarkable (maybe Thinking Fast & Slow?) but outside of those I thought this was great.
It probably helped that I had some understanding of some of the computer science mentioned (but not all and not in any depth).
Overall, definitely recommended!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Andy
- 18-06-17
Computer Science has much to teach us all
A fascinating and unexpected set of observations and recommendations about life, love and morality, informed by perspectives from computer science.
Recommended for anyone with an interest in computer science or philosophy. Essential for those with an interest in both.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Technouz
- 08-08-20
Great start, good topics covered but got boring later on
Ppl I really liked the ease at which parallels were drawn between algorithms and human life. However around chapter 13-ish I started to lose interest
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anthony
- 13-04-17
Excellent book, a must read
Everyone should read this book. It gives a very interesting on the world and the problems we face on a daily basis.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- danielius
- 26-02-22
Superb
Have lived in ignorance even though considered myself somewhat competent in CS. So many great analogies between humans and computers!
In particular I loved the insight that computer science is as fundamental as physics.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 15-08-18
Algorithms for everyday decision making!
Practical, scientific and very interesting. stuff you can use on a daily basis. Loved It!
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