Algorithms to Live By

The Computer Science of Human Decisions

by Brian Christian, Tom Griffiths

No cover — Brian Christian, Tom Griffiths: Algorithms to Live By (2016, Holt & Company, Henry)

English language

Published Feb. 14, 2016 by Holt & Company, Henry.

ISBN:: 978-1-62779-037-6

(22 reviews)

Algorithms to Live By looks at the simple, precise algorithms that computers use to solve the complex 'human' problems that we face, and discovers what they can tell us about the nature and origin of the mind.

An audiobook version can be found at [here][1]

[1]: archive.org/details/AlgorithmstoLiveBy

6 editions

🍄🌈🎮💻🚲🥓🎃💀🏴🛻🇺🇸 reviewed Algorithms to live by by Brian Christian

Review of 'Algorithms to live by' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

It's a little dry, given the subject matter, but it is so good I was disappointed when I realized that the last third is just attributions and references. I wanted more. As a computer engineer I was already familiar with every algorthim touched on, but this book put them in a perspective I'd never seen them from before and made some of them click in a way that feels more like understanding. Especially the chapter on sorting, and the one on game theory. I was disappointed to find that there's no real solution to game theory, but I suppose that's what makes games entertaining. When a sequel comes out, I'll pick it up right away.

Pentapod reviewed Algorithms to live by by Brian Christian

Review of 'Algorithms to live by' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

A really interesting book applying some of the solutions we have learned from mathematics and computers to decision making for human beings in real life. Not only is it interesting how the one can apply to the other, but just the process of talking about it gives different insights in how to look at these real life problems.

If you've ever wondered things like:
- is having an empty inbox worth the time and effort it takes to organize your email daily?
- is having a tidy desk/house worth more than having the things you often need close to hand?
- how can I decide if I've found the "best" (house/spouse/job/etc) without predicting the future?

All these puzzles and more are discussed in this book through the lens of what mathematics/computer science theory tells us is the "best" solution, along with why this may or may not also apply to real life, and what you can do about it. No detailed mathematics is necessary, this is more about the theory and even philosophy than any direct numbers or formulas.

Not only is the theory itself fascinating (how do programmers deliberately introduce "randomness" or "mistakes" into a system to avoid computers getting stuck in loops) but so is the applicability to real world problems and why what we think we SHOULD do (such as keep an immaculately clean home) may not actually make logical sense (and now when my desk is a mess I can prove it's the most efficient solution!)

If these are topics that sound interesting to you, then I highly recommend picking up this book.

loppear reviewed Algorithms to live by by Brian Christian

Review of 'Algorithms to live by' on Goodreads

4 stars

An overview computer science textbook meets a philosophical reflection on the lived human condition meets practical advice column... kinda perfect, for me at least. While this had the risk of becoming all kinds of rough nerd self-help or self-absorbed sensationalist cleverness, the author's applications of compsci approaches to categories of daily life end up neatly riding the line between humble and profound. But perhaps this is just so readable because it closely matches how I see the world.