Algorithms to Live By

The Computer Science of Human Decisions

By: Brian Christian, Tom Griffiths

Narrated by: Brian Christian

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.

Great listen, just don't expect tips!

Spoiler: the conclusion of many chapters is that your intuition is better than any current algorithm. Therefore, I wouldn't buy this book for tips. If you're smart, your intuition is already better, and if you're stupid, you're not going to understand the concepts anyway. However, I enjoyed the book as a fascinating exploration into how the mind works optimally, and liked putting words to the things I’m already just doing.

Answer is 37%

The answer is 37% to the optimal stopping problem. If you expect to date 20 people, how do you know whether to settle or move on to the next person. To maximize your expected result, don't make a decision until you've gone through 37% of the pool to form your criteria. In this example, it would be 7. Then after that, the next person you date who is better than all the previous should be the one you select. If you enjoy mathematics or computer science, you'll enjoy this book.

Excellent Review of Dense Topics

I found this book a wonderful read for those interested in the why behind many common frustrations in life. The authors expertly explain topics that I was unable to fully grasp in my graduate level courses. They also use wonderful quotes from scientists, philosophers, and popular culture to help convey complicated philosophical ideas.

This is one of the best books I have read. It entertained me while challenging my current way of thinking. I highly recommend it.

There are life gems if you take the time to understand.

Some topics are not easy to absorb. But it will be worth your while to truly understand. Audible version gives a good overview. Only by reading through can you get the most from it.

A logical perspective on life.

Best to read while commuting... Gives you a different perspective on life when it comes to making decisions , balance between work and life outside of it.
Author nails it with crisp voice and right ups and downs at right time.
You don't have to be a geek or coder to understand it..

Practical book for everyday life

It is interesting to see how mathematical algorithms can have an impact on decisions we make everyday. We just need to slow down and spend some time thinking about the decisions before we simply react. Enjoyed the book

Worth a Listen for all the Right Reasons

This book is fantastic. The delivery is dry. I didn't sense that much of an effort went into the production of the audio book. But I find it relevant that a book about algorithms (which are typically all about efficiency) did not let itself get distracted with any windiw dresssing. The content is strong and it carries the listener. I will definitely be reviewing some of these chapters in the near future.

Great application of Computer Science!

I enjoyed the author's summary of computer science algorithms and the application of them to the lives we live. I particularly recommend this book to old CS graduates who might be a little rusty on algorithms but have broad experience in IT and human interactions,

Interesting and empowering

Quickly build your understanding and vocabulary of concepts related to computational thinking. Author makes ideas relatable with applicable examples and stories.

This is what computer science is REALLY about

Computer science is not just about computers and programming; it's about COMPUTATION. And humans are faced with computational problems all the time. For example, how do you decide when you've dated enough and are ready to commit, or how should you organize the papers on your desk to be more efficient? Computer scientists formulate abstract versions of these every-day problems, and try to come up with one-size-fits-all solutions. Sometimes an optimal solution is easy to find. Often not.

Full disclosure... I'm a computer scientist and mathematician. But, trust me, you've already faced many of the algorithms described in this book. I learned a lot, and had fun doing it.