Algorithms to Live By: The Computer Science of Human Decisions PDF is a book written by Brian Christian and Thomas Griffiths that explores how the field of computer science can inform and improve decision-making in everyday life. The book uses examples from computer algorithms to illustrate how humans can make better decisions in a variety of contexts, including problem-solving, scheduling, and finding a spouse.
Some of the themes explored in the book include:
- The importance of using the right algorithm for a given problem
- The trade-offs involved in different algorithms, including time and space complexity
- How to make good decisions under uncertainty, using techniques like probability and expected value
- The role of randomness and unpredictability in decision-making
The book has received mostly positive reviews, with many praising its engaging and accessible writing style and its ability to use computer science concepts to shed light on everyday decision-making. Some reviewers have also noted that the book’s insights and examples are not always directly applicable to real-world situations, but that it still provides a useful framework for thinking about decision-making more generally.
Table of Contents
Algorithms to Live By Summary
The book is organized into four main sections, each focusing on a different aspect of decision-making: The first section, titled “Optimization and Search,” looks at how we can make better decisions when faced with a large number of options. It covers topics such as the explore-exploit trade-off, the importance of using the right algorithm for a given problem, and how to balance the need for accuracy with the need for speed.
The second section, “Sorting and Selection,” deals with the problem of how to choose the best option from a set of alternatives. The third section, “Processor and Scheduler,” looks at how we can make better decisions when we have limited time and resources.
The final section, “Memory and Communication,” deals with how we can make better decisions when we have limited information and how to communicate our decisions effectively to others. It covers topics such as the “curse of knowledge,” which shows how our ability to understand something can make it difficult for us to explain it to someone else, and the “bystander effect,” which demonstrates how our tendency to rely on others for information can lead us to make poor decisions.
Details of Algorithms to Live By Book
| Book | Algorithms to Live By |
| Author | Brian Christian and Thomas L. Griffiths |
| Original language | English |
| Originally published | April 19, 2016 |
| Category | Self Help |
| Publisher | HarperCollins Publishers |
| Total Pages | 368 |
| Format | PDF, ePub |
Multiple Languages Editions of Algorithms to Live By Book
It was originally published in English in 2016. It has since been translated into several other languages, including Chinese, French, German, Italian, and Japanese.
| Book Editions | Check Now |
|---|---|
| English | Check Price |
| Chinese | Check Price |
About the Author
Algorithms to Live By: The Computer Science of Human Decisions was written by Brian Christian and Thomas Griffiths. Brian Christian is an author, computer scientist, and poet. He received his undergraduate degree in computer science and philosophy from Dartmouth College and his graduate degree in computer science from the University of Oregon.
He has written several books on topics related to technology and the human experience, including “The Most Human Human,” which won the 2012 Nautilus Book Award.
Thomas Griffiths is a professor of psychology and cognitive science at the University of California, Berkeley. He received his undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Oxford and his Ph.D. in cognitive psychology from the University of Edinburgh. His research focuses on decision-making, learning, and reasoning, and he has published numerous articles in academic journals in these areas.
Together, Christian and Griffiths have written a book that combines Christian’s background in computer science and philosophy with Griffiths’ expertise in psychology and cognitive science to explore how principles from computer science can inform and improve decision-making in everyday life.
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FAQs(Frequently Asked Questions)
What is the book Algorithms to Live By about?
It is a book that explores how principles from computer science can be used to inform and improve decision-making in everyday life.
What does the Algorithms to Live By book teach?
Overall, the book aims to teach readers how to think more systematically and rationally about decision-making and to understand the trade-offs involved in different approaches to problem-solving.
Is Algorithms to Live By book worth reading?
Many reviewers have found the book to be engaging and accessible, and have praised its ability to use computer science concepts to shed light on everyday decision-making.
How long does it take to read Algorithms to Live By book?
In terms of how long it takes to read the book, this will depend on your reading speed and the amount of time you have available.
What is the grade level of the Algorithms to Live By book?
The intended grade level for the book is likely to be college-level or above, as it requires some background knowledge in computer science and mathematics to fully appreciate.
