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.

I will Re-Read this one!

What made the experience of listening to Algorithms to Live By the most enjoyable?

I Don't normally write reviews on books and movies - but this one I started promoting to fellow workers before I was 1/2 way through it. It was a really interesting way to look at everyday life tasks and the methods used for best results based in mathematical and computer Algorithm theorems (but explaining in everyday non-mathematical ways). I will have to read again myself.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I think taking the book in small portions (a chapter at a time - listening to it a couple times even if you miss following a portion). Allow the material to soak in and measure it against your everyday activities to best decide which of the Algorithms to best apply to your (or I found in some cases explained what I was already doing).

Any additional comments?

On a Side note if you are like me and deal with computers / numbers / and other such detail oriented thinking you probably are aware of some or many of the algorithms mentioned, but it was interesting to see them applied to everyday activities.

Accessible and engaging

I have an engineering background, but little formal computer science training. The text felt approachable for a general audience and the authors weave in some good stories. I was familiar with the topics on probability, randomness and optimization, yet found valuable new insights. Recommended to anyone with an interest in computing, algorithms and decision making.

diamonds among the brickwork

I persevered to the end and I'm glad that I did. This is definitely a book for people who understand computers and math, which is not my strong suit. However, what i could understand was very interesting and gave me many points to think about regarding human interactions.

Very good topics very shallow coverage

I gave the book three stars because of the importance of the topics it covers (cashing, sorting, game theory etc.) yet I feel it should be two or less. The topics are key challenge areas, most of which challenged the human race for thousands of years. Computers have had a transforming impact on solving these computational problems but the book covers these and "how to live by them?" in a very shallow manner.

Great book on applying CS to real world issues.

Very entertaining for the geek crowd (like myself), but useful for everybody. A second read is a must.

Can't wait to hear it again

For a topic that might be so tough to follow, the book is amazingly captivating and easy to follow even for beginners. Will certainly listen to it again in the near future.

slow start but good book

slow at first but picked up and turned into a good read. recommended for all

Uplifting as Sunday Mass with a clean conscience

This book affirms what you never dared to believe about being a productive, efficient human being: guessing, making mistakes, not worrying, loving others, and being yourself are not only acceptable, but rational and provably optimal strategies for dealing with life. I am computationally certain that this book can only serve to improve your well-being!

The best book I have listened to in 12 months!

Fantastic. A book the technical non technical reader alike can appreciate.

Should be required reading for any first year computer science or engineering major, so they understand the value of what they do.

For the non technical, it is a amazing insight into the reasons why computers have transformed our lives, and a relatable way of understanding why they just make good common sense to enhance society. For the technical, it allows them to appreciate just how amazing and optimal and efficient the human machine is given its environment.

This book is a rare melding of the arts and humanities. The Renaissance man would be proud.

good, worth it

50% was stuff I already knew and was bored by, 50 % awesome and interesting.