Human Problems

Today’s “machine-learning” systems, trained by data, are so effective that we’ve invited them to see and hear for us―and to make decisions on our behalf. But alarm bells are ringing. Recent years have seen an eruption of concern as the field of machine learning advances. When the systems we attempt to teach will not, in the end, do what we want or what we expect, ethical and potentially existential risks emerge. Researchers call this the alignment problem.

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.

Written in 1900 by Nikola Tesla, this book gives great ideas on automation, agriculture, energy, and increasing human output to improve the human condition.

"The most important book on AI this year." --The Guardian "Mr. Russell's exciting book goes deep, while sparkling with dry witticisms." --The Wall Street Journal "The most important book I have read in quite some time" (Daniel Kahneman); "A must-read" (Max Tegmark); "The book we've all been...

Nikola Tesla (1856-1943) was a Serbian electrical and mechanical engineer who was born and raised in the Austrian Empire and later became an American citizen. His article "The Problem of Increasing Human Energy" (June 1900) is a philosophical study of the nature of mankind's relationship to the universe, with scientific extrapolations on how technological advancement might contribute to that understanding.

In "The Problem of Increasing Human Energy," Nikola Tesla embarks on an intellectual voyage that explores the avenues through which human society could augment its collective energy resources for the betterment of mankind. First published in Century Magazine in 1900, this work showcases Tesla's profound ingenuity and his visionary approach to not only scientific and technological advancements but also to addressing broader existential challenges.

When you ask people about their most cherished values in life, "happiness" is always at the top of the list. But surprisingly few people claim real happiness. We seem to be completely satisfied with nothing, and indeed, there is little correlation between the circumstances of people's lives and how happy they are.

Revolutionize the way you see disruption and change with a groundbreaking alternative to corporate instability from a lauded HR expert. For decades, “disruption” and “change” have been seen as essential to business growth and success. In this provocative and incisive book, Ashley Goodall...

"A peerless mental health guide that belongs in every home." ―Andrew D. Huberman, PhD, professor of neurobiology, Stanford School of Medicine and host of the Huberman Lab Podcast. This affirming book from world-renowned and celebrity-endorsed psychiatrist, Dr. Paul Conti, offers a...

Renowned child psychologist and New York Times bestselling author of Lost at School and The Explosive Child explains how to cultivate a better parent-child relationship while also nurturing empathy, honesty, resilience, and independence. Parents have an important task: figure out who their child...

A daring and intimate exploration of how genetics complicates our ideas about blame, punishment, and moral responsibility, from acclaimed psychologist and author of The Genetic Lottery Kathryn Paige Harden. “An extraordinary book, the very best of science writing, because it is about not just...

Sharing stories and advice rooted in the science of evolutionary psychology, father and son authors Doug Kenrick and David Lundberg-Kenrick pinpoint the dangers of stone-age problem solving for our lives today, and present a new, systematic way to survive and be happy in the modern world.

A secret backdoor meeting between Ambassador Ode Abumwe and the Conclave’s Hafte Sorvalh turns out to be less than secret, as both of their ships are attacked. It’s a surprise to both teams - but it’s the identity of the attacker that is the real surprise, and suggests a threat to both humanity and The Conclave. "A Problem of Proportion" is a tale from John Scalzi's The Human Division, a series of self-contained but interrelated short stories set in the Old Man's War universe.

A beauty and mental health expert exposes how Western society has controlled the narrative on feminine aesthetics, and breaks down the science and psychology of beauty to help women feel more confident. What is beauty? Who gets to determine who is beautiful? What happens when you fall outside of...

Unleash Your Inner Genius with Leonardo’s Method What if you could think like Leonardo da Vinci and apply his timeless principles to innovation, creativity, and success in today’s fast-paced world? This book reveals how the greatest Renaissance mind mastered problem-solving, cross-disciplinary thinking, and visionary leadership — and how you can use the same techniques to transform your personal and professional life. Inside this book, you will discover how to: Unlock Renaissance Thinking — learn how Leonardo combined art, science, and philosophy to generate groundbreaking ideas. ...

So often, books about learning to be more persuasive assume that everyone wants to dominate and control their worlds. They assume, so much of the time, that people are cynical, cruel, and just looking for power so that they can start stepping on people. That is not the case with this audiobook! Quite the contrary, this book will give you a road map to ensure that you are not only capable of defending yourself against bullies, con men, and cruelty but that you are capable of making other people's lives better, too.

Mary Green was never supposed to change like this. After a violent seizure, she wakes up stronger, hungrier, and impossible to ignore—her body evolving overnight in ways that awaken both desire and dread. As reports of seizures and savage attacks spread across New England, her husband Lester uncovers the truth behind The Human Project, a secret experiment designed to “improve” humanity at any cost. What began as a cure becomes an addiction. What felt like salvation turns predatory. And as Mary advances toward the next stage of transformation, Lester must decide whether to resist what ...

Laurel Saville never meant to be a dog trainer. Sure, she'd loved dogs all her life, but training them was never a part of the equation. Until she adopted that dog. A dog she fell in love with, who also needed . . . a lot of help. After success in training this particular dog, Saville found...

THE GAME THEORY ADVANTAGE What John Nash, Robert Axelrod, and Thomas Schelling Reveal About the Invisible Interactions Behind Every Outcome What if the biggest factor shaping your life isn't what you do... but how everyone around you responds to what you do? Every conversation. Every negotiation. Every relationship. Every business decision. Every opportunity. Every conflict. Every success. Every setback. Whether you realize it or not, you are already playing countless invisible games every single day. Most people never learn to see them. As a result, they repeatedly ask the wrong questions....

Where does human energy come from, and where is it going? In this fascinating text, notable inventor Nikola Tesla examines these fundamental questions as he theorizes ways of maximizing human energy. While he thinks like a scientist, Tesla writes like a philosopher, making the text accessible for a wider audience. The Problem of Increasing Human Energy functions as both a valuable contribution to scientific thought and a self-help book for humanity.